Symptoms and the use of wireless communication devices: A prospective cohort study in Swiss adolescents

Abstract

Symptoms and the use of wireless communication devices: A prospective cohort study in Swiss adolescents Schoeni A, Roser K, Röösli M. Symptoms and the use of wireless communication devices: A prospective cohort study in Swiss adolescents.Environ Res. 2017 Jan 20;154:275-283. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2017.01.004. Abstract BACKGROUND: We investigated whether radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) from mobile phones and other wireless devices or by the wireless device use itself due to non-radiation related factors in that context are associated with an increase in health symptom reports of adolescents in Central Switzerland. METHODS: In a prospective cohort study, 439 study participants (participation rate: 36.8%) aged 12-17 years, completed questionnaires about their mobile and cordless phone use, their self-reported symptoms and possible confounding factors at baseline (2012/2013) and one year later (2013/2014). Operator recorded mobile phone data was obtained for a subgroup of 234 adolescents. RF-EMF dose measures considering various factors affecting RF-EMF exposure were computed for the brain and the whole body. Data were analysed using a mixed- logistic cross-sectional model and a cohort approach, where we investigated whether cumulative dose over one year was related to a new onset of a symptom between baseline and follow-up. All analyses were adjusted for relevant confounders. RESULTS: Participation rate in the follow-up was 97% (425 participants). In both analyses, cross-sectional and cohort, various symptoms tended to be mostly associated with usage measures that are only marginally related to RF-EMF exposure such as the number of text messages sent per day (e.g. tiredness: OR:1.81; 95%CI:1.20-2.74 for cross-sectional analyses and OR:1.87; 95%CI:1.04-3.38 for cohort analyses). Outcomes were generally less strongly or not associated with mobile phone call duration and RF-EMF dose measures. CONCLUSIONS: Stronger associations between symptoms of ill health and wireless communication device use than for RF-EMF dose measures were observed. Such a result pattern does not support a causal association between RF-EMF exposure and health symptoms of adolescents but rather suggests that other aspects of extensive media use are related to symptoms. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

In cross-sectional and cohort analyses, symptoms were more often associated with usage measures only marginally related to RF-EMF exposure (e.g., number of text messages/day; tiredness OR 1.81 cross-sectional and OR 1.87 cohort) than with call duration or computed RF-EMF dose measures for brain/whole body. The authors conclude the pattern does not support a causal association between RF-EMF exposure and adolescents’ health symptoms.

Outcomes measured

• Self-reported health symptoms (e.g., tiredness)
• New onset of symptoms between baseline and follow-up

Limitations

• Participation rate at baseline was 36.8%
• Symptoms were self-reported via questionnaires
• Operator-recorded mobile phone data were available only for a subgroup (n=234)
• Observational design; residual confounding cannot be excluded

Suggested hubs

• mobile-phones-rf-emf (0.86)
  Examines RF-EMF exposure and usage from mobile phones/wireless devices in adolescents and symptom outcomes.

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    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "mobile phone and other wireless devices (including cordless phone)",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "assessed at baseline (2012/2013) and 1-year follow-up (2013/2014); cumulative dose over one year"
    },
    "population": "Adolescents in Central Switzerland aged 12–17 years",
    "sample_size": 439,
    "outcomes": [
        "Self-reported health symptoms (e.g., tiredness)",
        "New onset of symptoms between baseline and follow-up"
    ],
    "main_findings": "In cross-sectional and cohort analyses, symptoms were more often associated with usage measures only marginally related to RF-EMF exposure (e.g., number of text messages/day; tiredness OR 1.81 cross-sectional and OR 1.87 cohort) than with call duration or computed RF-EMF dose measures for brain/whole body. The authors conclude the pattern does not support a causal association between RF-EMF exposure and adolescents’ health symptoms.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "Participation rate at baseline was 36.8%",
        "Symptoms were self-reported via questionnaires",
        "Operator-recorded mobile phone data were available only for a subgroup (n=234)",
        "Observational design; residual confounding cannot be excluded"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "RF-EMF",
        "radiofrequency electromagnetic fields",
        "mobile phone",
        "cordless phone",
        "wireless devices",
        "adolescents",
        "symptoms",
        "tiredness",
        "text messages",
        "prospective cohort",
        "Switzerland"
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