title: Does exposure to environmental radiofrequency electromagnetic fields cause cognitive and behavioral effects in 10-year-old boys?
abstract: The relationship between exposure to electromagnetic fields from non-ionizing radiation and adverse human health effects remains controversial. We aimed to explore the association of environmental radiofrequency-electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs) exposure with neurobehavioral function of children. A subsample of 123 boys belonging to the Environment and Childhood cohort from Granada (Spain), recruited at birth from 2000 through 2002, were evaluated at the age of 9-11 years. Spot electric field measurements within the 100 kHz to 6 GHz frequency range, expressed as both root mean-square (S(RMS) and maximum power density (S(MAX)) magnitudes, were performed in the immediate surrounds of childreńs dwellings. Neurocognitive and behavioral functions were assessed with a comprehensive battery of tests. Multivariate linear and logistic regression models were used, adjusting for potential confounders. All measurements were lower than reference guideline limits, with median S(RMS) and S(MAX) values of 285.94 and 2759.68 μW/m(2), respectively. Most of the cognitive and behavioral parameters did not show any effect, but children living in higher RF exposure areas (above median S(RMS) levels) had lower scores for verbal expression/comprehension and higher scores for internalizing and total problems, and obsessive-compulsive and post-traumatic stress disorders, in comparison to those living in areas with lower exposure. These associations were stronger when S(MAX) values were considered. Although some of our results may suggest that low-level environmental RF-EMF exposure has a negative impact on cognitive and/or behavior development in children; given limitations in the study design and that the majority of neurobehavioral functioning tasks were not affected, definitive conclusions cannot be drawn.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.GRANADA), Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Calvente
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.GRANADA), Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: Rocío
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pérez-Lobato
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.GRANADA), Granada, Spain.|Department of Radiology, University of Granada, Spain.|CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Granada, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: María-Isabel
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Núñez
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.GRANADA), Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ramos
authors.affiliation: CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Granada, Madrid, Spain.|Center for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL), Barcelona, Spain.|Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Mònica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guxens
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Villalba
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.GRANADA), Granada, Spain.|Department of Radiology, University of Granada, Spain.|CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Granada, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Nicolás
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Olea
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.GRANADA), Granada, Spain.|Department of Radiology, University of Granada, Spain.|CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Granada, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Mariana F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Fernández
mesh_terms: D001519:Behavior / Q000528:radiation effects*; D002648:Child; D003071:Cognition / Q000528:radiation effects*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011846:Radio Waves / Q000009:adverse effects*
keywords: RF measurements; behavior effects; childhood; cognitive effects; exposure; power density