Microwaves project

A recent study from the Netherlands has examined the effects of radio-frequency signals from mobile phone base stations on feelings of well being and cognitive functions. The work was performed by Professor Zwamborn and his team at the Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) ¹.

The work was carried out by a reputable research organisation to determine whether mobile phone mast signals could affect people who reported sensitivity to radio-frequency waves. A control group with no reported sensitivity was exposed to the same fields. Feelings of well being were assessed by a questionnaire after actual or sham exposure, and cognitive functions (such as reaction time and dual tasking) were measured during exposure. They were exposed to a 1 V/m field at 900 MHz and 1800 MHz by replicating GSM fields, and also the 2100 MHz UMTS field typical of the new 3G fields.

The study found a statistically significant relation between the UMTS (3G) fields and feelings of well being for both the electrosensitive and the control group. No such effect was seen for the GSM frequencies at 900 and 1800 MHz. Some effects were seen also in cognitive function tests but there were a higher number in the control group than the sensitive group, and the pattern of these results is quite variable.

In 2000, the Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones (IEGMP - Stewart Report) ² recommended a precautionary approach to mobile telephony in general and stressed the need for more research. NRPB endorses this approach and its Advisory Group on Non-ionising Radiation (AGNIR) is presently carrying out a review of all research published since the Stewart Report in 2000, and this will include the Dutch study. The AGNIR review is likely to be published early in 2004.

The results reported in the Dutch study are important and need to be considered carefully. They also need to be confirmed by a different laboratory, as the authors themselves have emphasised.

The LINK Mobile Telecommunications and Health Research (MTHR) Programme ³ is funding research into potential health effects from the use of mobile phones and base stations, and has emphasised the need for research on the possible effects of base station signals on people.

References

1 A P M Zwamborn, S H J A Vossen, B J A M van Leersum, M A Ouwens and W N Makel. Effects of Global Communication system radio-frequency fields on Well Being and Cognitive Functions of human subjects with and without subjective complaints. Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO). FEL-03-C148 (2003).

2 Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones (IEGMP). Mobile phones and Health (Chairman Sir William Stewart). NRPB, Chilton (2000).

3 Link Mobile Telecommunications and Health Research Programme (MTHR). See website at http://www.mthr.org.uk/