title: Exposure to non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation from mobile telephony and the association with psychiatric symptoms.
abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between exposure to non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation from mobile phone base stations and psychiatric symptoms. In a cross-sectional study in Salvador, Bahia State, Brazil, 440 individuals were interviewed. Psychiatric complaints and diagnoses were the dependent variables and distance from the individual's residence to the base station was considered the main independent variable. Hierarchical logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess confounding. An association was observed between psychiatric symptoms and residential proximity to the base station and different forms of mobile phone use (making calls with weak signal coverage, keeping the mobile phone close to the body, having two or more chips, and never turning off the phone while sleeping), and with the use of other electronic devices. The study concluded that exposure to electromagnetic radiation from mobile phone base stations and other electronic devices was associated with psychiatric symptoms, independently of gender, schooling, and smoking status. The adoption of precautionary measures to reduce such exposure is recommended.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Salvador, Brasil.
authors.forename: Denize Francisca da
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Medicina da Bahia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Brasil.
authors.forename: Warley Rocha
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Barros
authors.affiliation: Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Salvador, Brasil.
authors.forename: Maria da Conceição Chagas de
authors.initials: Mda C
authors.lastname: Almeida
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Medicina da Bahia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Brasil.
authors.forename: Marco Antônio Vasconcelos
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Rêgo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil; D040421:Cell Phone; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D060733:Electromagnetic Radiation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D000069079:Radiation Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011846:Radio Waves / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult