Does evening exposure to mobile phone radiation affect subsequent melatonin production?
OBJECTIVE
To test whether exposure to the emissions from a digital mobile phone handset prior to sleep alters the secretion of melatonin.


METHODS
In a double-blind cross-over design, 55 adult volunteers were both actively exposed or sham-exposed (in random order on successive Sunday nights) to mobile phone emissions for 30 min (0.25 W average power). Urine collection occurred immediately prior to retiring to bed and on rising the next morning. Melatonin output was estimated from principal metabolite concentrations (6-sulphatoxymelatonin (aMT6s) via radioimmunoassay), urine volumes and creatinine concentrations.


RESULTS
Total melatonin metabolite output (concentration x urine volume) was unchanged between the two exposure conditions (active 14.1+/-1.1 microg; sham 14.6+/-1.3 microg). The pre- and post-bedtime outputs considered separately were also not significantly different, although the pre-bedtime value was less for active versus sham exposure. When melatonin metabolite output was estimated from the ratio of aMT6s to creatinine concentrations, the pre-bedtime value was significantly less (p = 0.037) for active compared to sham. Examination of individual responses is suggestive of a small group of 'responders'.


CONCLUSIONS
Total nighttime melatonin output is unchanged by mobile phone handset emissions, but there could be an effect on melatonin onset time.
Brain Sciences Institute, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia. awood@swin.edu.au
Andrew W
AW
Wood
Sarah P
SP
Loughran
Con
C
Stough
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D040421:Cell Phone / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000528:radiation effects*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin / Q000652:urine*; D008872:Microwaves; D008875:Middle Aged; D011829:Radiation Dosage
D008550:Melatonin