Mobile phone base stations and adverse health effects: phase 2 of a cross-sectional study with measured radio frequency electromagnetic fields.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the cross-sectional study was to test the hypothesis that exposure to continuous low-level radio frequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs) emitted from mobile phone base stations was related to various health disturbances.


METHODS
For the investigation people living mainly in urban regions were selected from a nationwide study in 2006. In total, 3526 persons responded to a questionnaire (response rate 85%). For the exposure assessment a dosimeter measuring different RF-EMF frequencies was used. Participants answered a postal questionnaire on how mobile phone base stations affected their health and they gave information on sleep disturbances, headaches, health complaints and mental and physical health using standardised health questionnaires. Information on stress was also collected. Multiple linear regression models were used with health outcomes as dependent variables (n = 1326).


RESULTS
For the five health scores used, no differences in their medians were observed for exposed versus non-exposed participants. People who attributed adverse health effects to mobile phone base stations reported significantly more sleep disturbances and health complaints, but they did not report more headaches or less mental and physical health. Individuals concerned about mobile phone base stations did not have different well-being scores compared with those who were not concerned.


CONCLUSIONS
In this large population-based study, measured RF-EMFs emitted from mobile phone base stations were not associated with adverse health effects.
Berg-Beckhoff
G
G
Department of Epidemiology and International Public Health, Faculty of Public Health, University of Bielefeld, PO Box 100131, D-33501 Bielefeld, Germany. gabriele.berg-beckhoff@uni-bielefeld.de
Blettner
M
M
Kowall
B
B
Breckenkamp
J
J
Schlehofer
B
B
Schmiedel
S
S
Bornkessel
C
C
Reis
U
U
Potthoff
P
P
Schüz
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology; D001294:Attitude to Health; D040421:Cell Phone / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D011846:Radio Waves / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011874:Radiometry / Q000379:methods; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult