Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine whether there is an effect of mobile phone electromagnetic field emissions on the human electroencephalograph (EEG). EEG recordings from ten awake subjects were taken during exposure to radiofrequency (RF) emissions from a mobile phone positioned behind the head. Two experimental trials were conducted. In the first trial, RF exposures were generated by a GSM mobile phone with the speaker disabled and configured to transmit at full-radiated power. During the second trial, exposures were generated by a non-modified GSM mobile phone in activestandby mode. For each trial, subjects were exposed in five minute intervals to a randomized, interrupted sequence of five active and five sham exposures. The experiment was conducted under single-blind conditions. The average EEG band power in active exposure recordings was compared to corresponding sham recordings. Statistical tests indicated significant difference in thefull-power mode trial within the EEG alpha (8–13 Hz) and beta (13–32 Hz) bands. A subsequent statistical analysis of median spectral power in discrete EEG rhythms revealed significant differences in 7 of the 32 distinct frequencies overall. In conclusion, the results of this study lend support to EEG effects from mobile phones activated in talk-mode.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Wagner, P., Röschke, J., Mann, K., Fell, J., Hiller, W., Frank, C., and Grozinger, M.,Human sleep EEG under the influence of pulsed radio frequency electromagnetic fields. Results from polysomnographies using submaximal high power flux densities, Neuropsychobiology. 42(4): 207–212, 2000.
Huber, R., Treyer, V., Borbély, A.A., Schuderer, J., Gottselig, J.M., Landolt, H.-P., Werth, E., Berthold, T., Kuster, N., Buck, A. and Achermann, P.,Electromagnetic fields, such as those from mobile phones, alter regional cerebral blood flow and sleep and waking EEG, J. Sleep Res. 11: 289–295, 2002.
Reiser, H.-P., Dimpfel, W. and Schober, F.,The influence of electromagnetic fields on human brain activity, European Journal of medical research. 1: 27–32, 1995/96.
Hietanen, M., Kovala, T. and Hämäläinen, A-M.,Human brain activity during exposure to radiofrequency fields emitted by cellular phones, Scandinavian Journal of Work Environment & Health. 26: 87–92, 2000.
Preece, A. W., Iwi, G., Davies-Smith, A., Wesnes, K., Butler, S., Lim, E. and Varey, A.,Effect of a 915-MHz simulated mobile phone signal on cognitive function in man, International Journal of Radiation Biology. 75: 447–456, 1999.
Krause, C. M., Sillanmaki, L., Koivisto, M., Haggqvist, A., Saarela, C., Revonsuo, A., Laine, M. and Hamalainen, H.,Effects of electromagnetic field emitted by cellular phones on the EEG during a memory task, Neuroreport. 11: 761–764, 2000.
Röschke, J., and Mann, K.,No short-term effects of digital mobile radio telephone on the awake human electroencephalogram, Bioelectromagnetics. 18: 172–176, 1997.
ETSI.,ETS 300 578 standard: GSM 05.08 version 4.22.1, 13th ed., 22, 1999.
Heath, B., Jenvey, S. and Cosic, I.Investigation of analogue and digital mobile phone low frequency radiation spectrum characteristics, 2nd International Conference on Bioelectromagnetism. 83–84, 1998.
Carr, J. J. and Brown, J. M.,Introduction to biomedical equipment technology, 3rd ed., Prentice Hall, New Jersey, 376, 1998.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
D…Costa, H., Trueman, G., Tang, L. et al. Human brain wave activity during exposure to radiofrequency field emissions from mobile phones. Australas. Phys. Eng. Sci. Med. 26, 162–167 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03179176
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03179176