EHS subjects do not perceive RF EMF emitted from smart phones better than non-EHS subjects.
As the use of smart phones increases, social concerns have arisen concerning the possible effects of radio frequency-electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs) emitted from wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) mobile phones on human health. The number of people with self-reported electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) who complain of various subjective symptoms, such as headache, insomnia, etc., has also recently increased. However, it is unclear whether EHS subjects can detect RF-EMFs exposure or not. In this double-blind study, two volunteer groups of 17 EHS and 20 non-EHS subjects were investigated in regards to their perception of RF-EMFs with real and sham exposure sessions. Experiments were conducted using a WCDMA module inside a dummy phone with an average power of 24 dBm at 1950 MHz and a specific absorption rate of 1.57 W/kg using a dummy headphone for 32 min. In conclusion, there was no indication that EHS subjects perceive RF-EMFs better than non-EHS subjects.
Brain Korea 21 Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea. kmk5170@yuhs.ac
Min Kyung
MK
Kwon
Sung Kean
SK
Kim
Jeong Mo
JM
Koo
Joon Yul
JY
Choi
Deok Won
DW
Kim
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D040421:Cell Phone; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011836:Radiation Tolerance / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D011846:Radio Waves; D055815:Young Adult