Symptoms in Swiss adolescents in relation to exposure from fixed site transmitters : a prospective cohort study

There is public concern regarding potential health effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) emitted by fixed site transmitters. We therefore investigated whether self-reported general well-being in adolescents is affected by RF-EMF exposure from mobile phone base stations (downlink) and broadcast transmitters (TV and radio).; In a prospective cohort study, 439 study participants aged 12-17 years, completed questionnaires about their self-reported well-being and possible confounding factors at baseline and one year later. Exposure from fixed site transmitters at home and school was calculated by using a geospatial propagation model. Data were analysed using a mixed-logistic cross-sectional model of a combined dataset consisting of baseline and follow-up data and a longitudinal approach where we investigated whether exposure at baseline (cohort analysis) or changes in exposure between baseline and follow-up (change analysis) were related to a new onset of a symptom between baseline and follow-up. All analyses were adjusted for relevant confounders.; Mean exposure (median; 75(th)) for broadcast transmitters, downlink and total exposure at baseline were 1.9 μW/m(2) (1.0 μW/m(2); 2.8 μW/m(2)), 14.4 μW/m(2) (3.8 μW/m(2); 11.0 μW/m(2)) and 16.3 μW/m(2) (5.8 μW/m(2); 13.4 μW/m(2)), respectively. In cross-sectional analyses no associations were observed between any symptom and RF-EMF exposure from fixed site transmitters. In the cohort and change analyses only a few significant associations were observed including an increased OR for tiredness (2.94, 95%CI: 1.43 to 6.05) for participants in the top 25(th) percentile of total RF-EMF exposure from fixed site transmitters at baseline, in comparison to participants exposed below the median and a decreased OR for exhaustibility (0.50, 95%CI: 0.27 to 0.93) for participants with an exposure increase between baseline and follow-up.; In this cohort study, using a geospatial propagation model, RF-EMF exposure from fixed site transmitters was not consistently associated with self-reported symptoms in Swiss adolescents. The few observed associations have to be interpreted with caution and might represent chance findings

Wireless communication fields and non-specific symptoms of ill health: a literature review

Zusammenfassung: Dieser Artikel aktualisiert eine frühere systematische Literaturübersicht (1) zu den Auswirkungen hochfrequenter elektromagnetischer Felder (RF-EMF) auf die gesundheitsbezogene Lebensqualität. Zwischen August 2007 und November 2010 sind zur Exposition gegenüber Nahfeldquellen wie Mobil- und Schnurlostelefonen neun randomisierte experimentelle Studien und zwei beobachtende Studien erschienen. Die Fernfeldexposition, wie sie beispielsweise in der Umgebung von Mobilfunkbasisstationen auftritt, wurde in sechs experimentellen und acht beobachtenden Studien untersucht. Die meisten Experimente zeigten keinen Zusammenhang zwischen der Hochfrequenzbelastung und dem Auftreten von unspezifischen Symptomen wie Kopfschmerzen, Schwindel oder Konzentrationsstörungen. Die sporadisch beobachteten Assoziationen ergaben kein einheitliches Muster, weder bezüglich der Symptomform noch bezüglich der Effektrichtung (Zu- oder Abnahme). Auch in den beobachtenden Studien bestanden grösstenteils keine Zusammenhänge zwischen der RF-EMF-Belastung und dem Auftreten von Beschwerden. Die Aussagekraft dieser Studien wird allerdings dadurch eingeschränkt, dass die Expositionskontraste in den Kollektiven gering waren und Fehler in der Expositionsabschätzung nicht ausgeschlossen werden können. Ausserdem fehlen Studien über einen längeren Beobachtungszeitraum, und es gibt noch kaum Untersuchungen an Kindern und Jugendlichen. Insgesamt weisen die aktuellen Studien nicht auf einen Zusammenhang zwischen der alltäglichen Hochfrequenzbelastung und dem Auftreten von unspezifischen Symptomen hin. Sie zeigen auch nicht, dass Personen, die sich selbst als hypersensibel bezeichnen, empfindlicher auf RF-EMF reagieren als der Rest der Bevölkerung. Da sich die Technik der Mobilkommunikation rasch weiter entwickelt und die alltägliche Exposition in Zukunft voraussichtlich ansteigen wird, sind aber longitudinale Studien zur Untersuchung eventueller Langzeiteffekte erforderlich. Wegen der weiten Verbreitung der drahtlosen Kommunikationstechnik hätten schädliche Auswirkungen eine grosse Public Health-Relevan

Impact of a smoking ban in hospitality venues on second hand smoke exposure : a comparison of exposure assessment methods

In May 2010, Switzerland introduced a heterogeneous smoking ban in the hospitality sector. While the law leaves room for exceptions in some cantons, it is comprehensive in others. This longitudinal study uses different measurement methods to examine airborne nicotine levels in hospitality venues and the level of personal exposure of non-smoking hospitality workers before and after implementation of the law.; Personal exposure to second hand smoke (SHS) was measured by three different methods. We compared a passive sampler called MoNIC (Monitor of NICotine) badge, to salivary cotinine and nicotine concentration as well as questionnaire data. Badges allowed the number of passively smoked cigarettes to be estimated. They were placed at the venues as well as distributed to the participants for personal measurements. To assess personal exposure at work, a time-weighted average of the workplace badge measurements was calculated.; Prior to the ban, smoke-exposed hospitality venues yielded a mean badge value of 4.48 (95%-CI: 3.7 to 5.25; n = 214) cigarette equivalents/day. At follow-up, measurements in venues that had implemented a smoking ban significantly declined to an average of 0.31 (0.17 to 0.45; n = 37) (p = 0.001). Personal badge measurements also significantly decreased from an average of 2.18 (1.31-3.05 n = 53) to 0.25 (0.13-0.36; n = 41) (p = 0.001). Spearman rank correlations between badge exposure measures and salivary measures were small to moderate (0.3 at maximum).; Nicotine levels significantly decreased in all types of hospitality venues after implementation of the smoking ban. In-depth analyses demonstrated that a time-weighted average of the workplace badge measurements represented typical personal SHS exposure at work more reliably than personal exposure measures such as salivary cotinine and nicotine

Sleep disturbances in the vicinity of the short-wave broadcast transmitter schwarzenburg

Summary: Objectives: The studies reported here investigated the association between health complaints and the vicinity to the short wave transmitter Schwarzenburg, and looked for evidence for a relationship between magnetic field exposure and sleep disturbances. Subjects and Methods: Between 1992 and 1998 two cross-sectional and two panel studies were performed in the area of Schwarzenburg. In each cross-sectional survey about 400 adults living in differently exposed areas were asked about somatic and psycho-vegetative symptoms including sleep disturbances as well as possible confounding factors. Exposure was estimated based on 2621 measurements of magnetic field strength made in 56 locations. In the panel studies, sleep quality and melatonin excretion was studied when the transmission was interrupted or definitively shut down, respectively. Results: In both surveys, prevalence of difficulties of falling asleep and in particular, maintaining sleep, increased with increasing radio frequency electromagnetic field exposure (RF-EMF). Sleep quality improved after interruption of exposure. A chronic change of melatonin excretion following RF-EMF exposure could not be shown, but a parallel study of salivary samples in cows showed a temporary increase after a short latency period following interruption of exposure. Conclusions: The series of studies gives strong evidence of a causal relationship between operation of a short-wave radio transmitter and sleep disturbances in the surrounding population, but there is insufficient evidence to distinguish clearly between a biological and a psychological effec

The prevalence of symptoms attributed to electromagnetic field exposure: a cross-sectional representative survey in Switzerland

Summary.: Objectives: To investigate health risk perception as well as to assess the prevalence of self-reported symptoms attributed to electromagnetic fields (EMF) and other environmental exposures in the general population of Switzerland. Methods: Between May and June 2004, telephone interviews of a representative sample of the Swiss population (n= 2 048, >14years old) about: 1) health symptoms attributed to five environmental factors (one of which was EMF), 2) health risk perception related to 12 environmental risk factors (five of which were different EMF sources). Results: We found a prevalence of 5% (95% CI 4-6%) for electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) in our study sample. The most common health complaints among EHS individuals were sleep disorders (43%) and headaches (34%), which were mostly attributed to power lines and mobile phone handsets. In addition, 53 percent (95% CI 51-55%) were worried about adverse health effects from EMF, without attributing their own health symptoms to them. Conclusions: The large proportion of the population who is concerned or attributes own symptoms to EMF may cause societal conflicts given the ubiquity of EMF in our everyday lif

Magnetic field exposure and neurodegenerative diseases - recent epidemiological studies

Summary.: Objectives: To analyse the results of recent studies not yet included in a 2003 report of the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) on occupational exposure to low-frequency electromagnetic fields as potential risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases. Methods: A literature search was conducted in the online databases of PubMed, ISI Web of Knowledge, DIMDI and COCHRANE, as well as in specialised databases and journals. Eight studies published between January 2000 and July 2005 were included in the review. Results: The fi ndings of these studies contribute to the evidence of an association between occupational magnetic field exposure and the risk of dementia. Regarding amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, the recent results confirm earlier observations of an association with electric and electronic work and welding. Its relationship with magnetic field exposure remains unsolved. There are only few findings pointing towards an association between magnetic field exposure and Parkinson's disease. Conclusions: The epidemiological evidence for an association between occupational exposure to low-frequency electromagnetic fields and the risk of dementia has increased during the last five years. The impact of potential confounders should be evaluated in further studie