Association of Exposure to Radio-Frequency Electromagnetic Field Radiation (RF-EMFR) Generated by Mobile Phone Base Stations with Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c) and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Int J Environ Res Public Health · 2015 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 2725

RF-EMFR measured inside school-1 was higher (9.601 nW/cm² at 925 MHz) than school-2 (1.909 nW/cm² at 925 MHz). Mean HbA1c was significantly higher in the higher-exposure school (5.44 ± 0.22) than in the lower-exposure school (5.32 ± 0.34) (p = 0.007), and the…

Study snapshot

PublicationInt J Environ Res Public Health · 2015

Study typecross_sectional

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Installation of mobile phone base stations in residential areas has initiated public debate about possible adverse effects on human health. This study aimed to determine the association of exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic field radiation (RF-EMFR) generated by mobile phone base stations with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and occurrence of type 2 diabetes mellitus. For this study, two different elementary schools (school-1 and school-2) were selected. We recruited 159 students in total; 96 male students from school-1, with age range 12-16 years, and 63 male students with age range 12-17 years from school-2. Mobile phone base stations with towers existed about 200 m away from the school buildings. RF-EMFR was measured inside both schools. In school-1, RF-EMFR was 9.601 nW/cm² at frequency of 925 MHz, and students had been exposed to RF-EMFR for a duration of 6 h daily, five days in a week. In school-2, RF-EMFR was 1.909 nW/cm² at frequency of 925 MHz and students had been exposed for 6 h daily, five days in a week. 5-6 mL blood was collected from all the students and HbA1c was measured by using a Dimension Xpand Plus Integrated Chemistry System, Siemens. The mean HbA1c for the students who were exposed to high RF-EMFR was significantly higher (5.44 ± 0.22) than the mean HbA1c for the students who were exposed to low RF-EMFR (5.32 ± 0.34) (p = 0.007). Moreover, students who were exposed to high RF-EMFR generated by MPBS had a significantly higher risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (p = 0.016) relative to their counterparts who were exposed to low RF-EMFR. It is concluded that exposure to high RF-EMFR generated by MPBS is associated with elevated levels of HbA1c and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

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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 directionharm

PopulationMale elementary school students (ages 12–17) from two schools

Sample size159

ExposureRF · 925 MHz · 6 h daily, five days a week

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c)
Risk/occurrence of type 2 diabetes mellitus

Limitations

Cross-sectional comparison between two schools; causality cannot be established
Exposure assessment limited to measurements inside schools; individual-level exposure variability not described
Only male students included
Potential confounding factors not described in the abstract
Type 2 diabetes mellitus outcome definition/diagnostic criteria not specified in the abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "cross_sectional",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone base station",
    "frequency_mhz": 925,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "6 h daily, five days a week"
  },
  "population": "Male elementary school students (ages 12–17) from two schools",
  "sample_size": 159,
  "outcomes": [
    "Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c)",
    "Risk/occurrence of type 2 diabetes mellitus"
  ],
  "main_findings": "RF-EMFR measured inside school-1 was higher (9.601 nW/cm² at 925 MHz) than school-2 (1.909 nW/cm² at 925 MHz). Mean HbA1c was significantly higher in the higher-exposure school (5.44 ± 0.22) than in the lower-exposure school (5.32 ± 0.34) (p = 0.007), and the higher-exposure group had a significantly higher risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (p = 0.016).",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Cross-sectional comparison between two schools; causality cannot be established",
    "Exposure assessment limited to measurements inside schools; individual-level exposure variability not described",
    "Only male students included",
    "Potential confounding factors not described in the abstract",
    "Type 2 diabetes mellitus outcome definition/diagnostic criteria not specified in the abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "RF-EMFR",
    "radiofrequency",
    "mobile phone base stations",
    "school exposure",
    "HbA1c",
    "type 2 diabetes mellitus",
    "925 MHz"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "school-wi-fi",
      "weight": 0.35,
      "reason": "Study population is school-based with RF exposure measured inside schools (though source is base stations, not Wi‑Fi)."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.3390/ijerph121114519
PubMed: 26580639

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