Estimated whole-brain and lobe-specific radiofrequency electromagnetic fields doses and brain volumes in preadolescents

2020 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 1458

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2020

Study typecross_sectional

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Estimated whole-brain and lobe-specific radiofrequency electromagnetic fields doses and brain volumes in preadolescents Alba Cabré-Riera, Hanan El Marroun, Ryan Muetzel, Luuk van Wel, Ilaria Liorni, Arno Thielens, Laura Ellen Birks, Livia Pierotti, Anke Huss, Wout Joseph, Joe Wiart, Myles Capstick, Manon Hillegers, Roel Vermeulen, Elisabeth Cardis, Martine Vrijheid, Tonya White, Martin Röösli, Henning Tiemeier, Mònica Guxens. Estimated whole-brain and lobe-specific radiofrequency electromagnetic fields doses and brain volumes in preadolescents. Environment International. 142, September 2020, 105808. doi.org. Highlights • We estimated overall and source-specific RF-EMF doses to the brain. • Estimated overall whole-brain RF-EMF dose was 84.3 mJ/kg/day. • Overall whole-brain or lobe-specific RF-EMF doses were not related to brain volumes. • Whole-brain RF-EMF dose from mobile communication devices for screen activities while wirelessly connected to the internet was associated with smaller caudate volume. • We cannot discard residual confounding, chance finding, or reverse causality. Abstract Objective To assess the association between estimated whole-brain and lobe-specific radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) doses, using an improved integrated RF-EMF exposure model, and brain volumes in preadolescents at 9-12 years old. Methods Cross-sectional analysis in preadolescents aged 9-12 years from the Generation R Study, a population- based birth cohort set up in Rotterdam, The Netherlands (n = 2592). An integrated exposure model was used to estimate whole-brain and lobe-specific RF-EMF doses (mJ/kg/day) from different RF-EMF sources including mobile and Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) phone calls, other mobile phone uses than calling, tablet use, laptop use, and far-field sources. Whole-brain and lobe-specific RF-EMF doses were estimated for all RF-EMF sources together (i.e. overall) and for three groups of RF-EMF sources that lead to a different pattern of RF-EMF exposure. Information on brain volumes was extracted from magnetic resonance imaging scans. Results Estimated overall whole-brain RF-EMF dose was 84.3 mJ/kg/day. The highest overall lobe-specific dose was estimated in the temporal lobe (307.1 mJ/kg/day). Whole-brain and lobe-specific RF-EMF doses from all RF- EMF sources together, from mobile and DECT phone calls, and from far-field sources were not associated with global, cortical, or subcortical brain volumes. However, a higher whole-brain RF-EMF dose from mobile phone use for internet browsing, e-mailing, and text messaging, tablet use, and laptop use while wirelessly connected to the internet was associated with a smaller caudate volume. Conclusions Our results suggest that estimated whole-brain and lobe-specific RF-EMF doses were not related to brain volumes in preadolescents at 9-12 years old. Screen activities with mobile communication devices while wirelessly connected to the internet lead to low RF-EMF dose to the brain and our observed association may thus rather reflect effects of social or individual factors related to these specific uses of mobile communication devices. However, we cannot discard residual confounding, chance finding, or reverse causality. Further studies on mobile communication devices and their potential negative associations with brain development are warranted, regardless whether associations are due to RF-EMF exposure or to other factors related to their use. Open access paper: sciencedirect.com Note: The caudate nucleus plays important roles in various nonmotor functions including procedural learning, associative learning, and inhibitory control of action. Moreover, it has long been associated with motor processes due to its role in Parkinson's disease.

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AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typecross_sectional

Effect directionmixed

PopulationPreadolescents aged 9–12 years from the Generation R Study (Rotterdam, The Netherlands)

Sample size2592

ExposureRF

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In this cross-sectional analysis (n=2592), estimated overall whole-brain RF-EMF dose (mean 84.3 mJ/kg/day) and lobe-specific doses were generally not associated with global, cortical, or subcortical brain volumes. Whole-brain RF-EMF dose from screen activities (internet browsing/e-mailing/text messaging; tablet/laptop use while wirelessly connected to the internet) was associated with smaller caudate volume; authors note residual confounding, chance finding, or reverse causality cannot be excluded.

Outcomes measured

Whole-brain volume
Lobe-specific brain volumes (including temporal lobe dose estimates)
Global brain volumes
Cortical brain volumes
Subcortical brain volumes
Caudate volume

Limitations

Cross-sectional design (cannot establish temporality/causality)
Exposure was estimated via an integrated model (not direct measurement)
Potential residual confounding acknowledged by authors
Possibility of chance finding acknowledged by authors
Reverse causality cannot be excluded (acknowledged by authors)

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "cross_sectional",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone, DECT phone, tablet, laptop, far-field sources (wireless internet connection and other sources)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Preadolescents aged 9–12 years from the Generation R Study (Rotterdam, The Netherlands)",
  "sample_size": 2592,
  "outcomes": [
    "Whole-brain volume",
    "Lobe-specific brain volumes (including temporal lobe dose estimates)",
    "Global brain volumes",
    "Cortical brain volumes",
    "Subcortical brain volumes",
    "Caudate volume"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In this cross-sectional analysis (n=2592), estimated overall whole-brain RF-EMF dose (mean 84.3 mJ/kg/day) and lobe-specific doses were generally not associated with global, cortical, or subcortical brain volumes. Whole-brain RF-EMF dose from screen activities (internet browsing/e-mailing/text messaging; tablet/laptop use while wirelessly connected to the internet) was associated with smaller caudate volume; authors note residual confounding, chance finding, or reverse causality cannot be excluded.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Cross-sectional design (cannot establish temporality/causality)",
    "Exposure was estimated via an integrated model (not direct measurement)",
    "Potential residual confounding acknowledged by authors",
    "Possibility of chance finding acknowledged by authors",
    "Reverse causality cannot be excluded (acknowledged by authors)"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "radiofrequency electromagnetic fields",
    "RF-EMF dose",
    "brain volume",
    "MRI",
    "preadolescents",
    "Generation R",
    "mobile phone",
    "DECT",
    "tablet",
    "laptop",
    "far-field sources",
    "caudate volume",
    "temporal lobe"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "school-wi-fi",
      "weight": 0.35,
      "reason": "Includes exposure from screen activities while wirelessly connected to the internet (tablet/laptop/mobile use), relevant to wireless internet contexts in children."
    }
  ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.105808
PubMed: Not supplied

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