EHS subjects do not perceive RF EMF emitted from smart phones better than non-EHS subjects

Annu Int Conf IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2012:2012:2190-3. doi: 10.1109/EMBC.2012.6346396.

Abstract

As the use of smart phones increases, social concerns have arisen concerning the possible effects of radio frequency-electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs) emitted from wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) mobile phones on human health. The number of people with self-reported electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) who complain of various subjective symptoms, such as headache, insomnia, etc., has also recently increased. However, it is unclear whether EHS subjects can detect RF-EMFs exposure or not. In this double-blind study, two volunteer groups of 17 EHS and 20 non-EHS subjects were investigated in regards to their perception of RF-EMFs with real and sham exposure sessions. Experiments were conducted using a WCDMA module inside a dummy phone with an average power of 24 dBm at 1950 MHz and a specific absorption rate of 1.57 W/kg using a dummy headphone for 32 min. In conclusion, there was no indication that EHS subjects perceive RF-EMFs better than non-EHS subjects.

Publication types

  • Controlled Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Cell Phone*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Perception / physiology*
  • Perception / radiation effects*
  • Radiation Dosage
  • Radiation Tolerance / physiology*
  • Radiation Tolerance / radiation effects*
  • Radio Waves
  • Young Adult