Modeled and perceived RF-EMF exposure from mobile phone base stations in relation to symptom reporting

Abstract

Technological changes have led to a rapid increase in the use of mobile technology. This is coupled with an increase in the number of mobile phone base stations that emit radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF). There are concerns about the potential health effects of this exposure among experts and citizens. Some people attribute symptoms such as headaches and dizziness to RF-EMF exposure. Up until now, scientific studies have not shown convincing evidence of adverse health effects associated with RF-EMF exposure in the everyday environment. Psychosocial mechanisms can also play a role in symptom experiences, but the exact role of such mechanisms in the general population in combination with the role of actual exposure is not clear. The aim of this study was to assess the role of both modelled (an objective estimate of actual) and perceived exposure to RF-EMF from mobile phone base stations in non-specific symptom reporting. We first examined the applicability of a geospatial model (NISMap) for use in epidemiological research. We assessed whether an estimation of RF-EMF exposure from mobile phone base stations at the home address, corresponds with personal exposure levels. The results showed that this model can be used to meaningfully rank individuals on exposure levels (correlation between 48h measurements and model predictions: rSp=0.47). The model was more accurate than previously used exposure assessment methods such as estimating the distance between the nearest antenna and the home. In the second part of this thesis, data was analyzed from the Dutch AMIGO cohort (n=14829). AMIGO participants were asked to what extent they thought they were exposed to RF-EMF from mobile phone base stations. A majority (approximately 75%) of our respondents thought their exposure to RF-EMF was low. The questionnaire information on perceived exposure was compared with modelled (NISMap) exposure at the home address. There was a weak correlation between modelled and perceived exposure (rSpearman=0.10), indicating that most participants cannot accurately estimate their own exposure level. In the case of changes in modelled exposure over time the data indicated that these changes are often accompanied by corresponding changes in perceived exposures, showing that people can be aware of exposure-related changes in their environment. We analyzed the impact of both modelled and perceived exposure to RF-EMF from mobile phone base stations on self-reported health outcomes. Modelled RF-EMF exposure from mobile phone base stations was not associated with self-reported symptoms. In contrast, higher perceived exposure of mobile phone base stations was consistently associated with reporting higher symptom scores. Conclusion The results did not show evidence of adverse effects of exposure to RF-EMF from mobile phone base stations on symptom reporting. Risk appraisal does play an important role in symptom reporting, but the etiological role is not fully clear. Risk appraisal appears to be influenced by exposure cues in the residential environment, and the presence of these exposure cues may have indirect effects on health through an increase in risk appraisal.