Effect of short-term mobile phone base station exposure on cognitive performance, body temperature, heart rate and blood pressure of Malaysians

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This human provocation study examined if there is any association between radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields and electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS). Two hundred participants (half claiming to be EHS and half non-EHS) were divided into four groups, three being exposed to three different types of mobile phone base station RF fields: GSM900, GSM1800, or UMTS and one group sham-exposed. A series of tests to evaluate the cognitive performance were conducted before, during and after the exposure. Physiological parameters such as body temperature, blood pressure and heart rate were also monitored. The authors concluded that there is no difference in the cognitive performance and physiological parameters between the group of people with EHS and without EHS, regardless of exposure type.

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There have been many provocation studies investigating the possibility of association between RF exposure in the mobile telephony frequency range and cognitive function. A recent review published by the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR) this year mentioned that for symptoms triggered by short-term exposure to RF (measured in minutes to hours), the consistent results from multiple double-blind experiments give a strong overall weight of evidence that such effects are not caused by the exposure. A review published by the Swedish Radiation Protection Authority this year has also conveyed the same message regarding EHS and RF exposure.

Environmental exposure from RF sources is dominated by antennas used for broadcasting and other telecommunication services, and mobile phone base stations. Historical data from spot measurement campaigns and continuous radiation monitoring systems around the world indicate that the introduction of new mobile telecommunication technologies after the deployment of the GSM and UMTS systems did not substantially change the average levels of EMF in the environment. At the same time, other technologies, like digital broadcasting, have in some regions contributed to the reduction of EMF exposure from far field sources (SCENIHR, 2015).

The provocation study by Malek et al included participants who claimed to have EHS symptoms. It is important to note that the authors reported no difference in cognitive function between sensitive and normal participants, regardless of whether the exposure was present or not.