RF Safe

Effects of everyday radiofrequency electromagnetic-field exposure on sleep quality: a cross-sectional study.

Radiation research · 2010 · No effect · Moderate evidence

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No effectModerate evidencePaper 4360

No associations were found between environmental far-field RF EMF exposure and sleep disturbances or excessive daytime sleepiness. Neither mobile phone nor cordless phone use was associated with decreased sleep quality.

Study snapshot

PublicationRadiation research · 2010
Study typecross_sectional
Reported directionNo effect
Evidence ratingModerate

Abstract

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the association between exposure to various sources of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMFs) in the everyday environment and sleep quality, which is a common public health concern. We assessed self-reported sleep disturbances and daytime sleepiness in a random population sample of 1,375 inhabitants from the area of Basel, Switzerland. Exposure to environmental far-field RF EMFs was predicted for each individual using a prediction model that had been developed and validated previously. Self-reported cordless and mobile phone use as well as objective mobile phone operator data for the previous 6 months were also considered in the analyses. In multivariable regression models, adjusted for relevant confounders, no associations between environmental far-field RF EMF exposure and sleep disturbances or excessive daytime sleepiness were observed. The 10% most exposed participants had an estimated risk for sleep disturbances of 1.11 (95% CI: 0.50 to 2.44) and for excessive daytime sleepiness of 0.58 (95% CI: 0.31 to 1.05). Neither mobile phone use nor cordless phone use was associated with decreased sleep quality. The results of this large cross-sectional study did not indicate an impairment of subjective sleep quality due to exposure from various sources of RF EMFs in everyday life.

Machine Enhanced Logic

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 directionno_effect
Populationrandom population sample of 1,375 inhabitants from Basel, Switzerland
Sample size1375
ExposureRF · previous 6 months for mobile phone operator data
Evidence strengthModerateConfidence: 70% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

No associations were found between environmental far-field RF EMF exposure and sleep disturbances or excessive daytime sleepiness. Neither mobile phone nor cordless phone use was associated with decreased sleep quality.

Outcomes measured

  • self-reported sleep disturbances
  • daytime sleepiness

Limitations

  • cross-sectional design limits causal inference
  • self-reported sleep quality may be subject to reporting bias
  • exposure assessment based on prediction model and operator data, not direct measurement
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "cross_sectional",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "everyday environment (various sources)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "previous 6 months for mobile phone operator data"
  },
  "population": "random population sample of 1,375 inhabitants from Basel, Switzerland",
  "sample_size": 1375,
  "outcomes": [
    "self-reported sleep disturbances",
    "daytime sleepiness"
  ],
  "main_findings": "No associations were found between environmental far-field RF EMF exposure and sleep disturbances or excessive daytime sleepiness. Neither mobile phone nor cordless phone use was associated with decreased sleep quality.",
  "effect_direction": "no_effect",
  "limitations": [
    "cross-sectional design limits causal inference",
    "self-reported sleep quality may be subject to reporting bias",
    "exposure assessment based on prediction model and operator data, not direct measurement"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "moderate",
  "confidence": 0.7,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "radiofrequency electromagnetic fields",
    "sleep quality",
    "sleep disturbances",
    "daytime sleepiness",
    "mobile phone use",
    "cordless phone use",
    "environmental exposure"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.3,
      "reason": "study of RF EMF exposure in everyday environment including phone use"
    },
    {
      "slug": "who-icnirp",
      "weight": 0.7,
      "reason": "study relates to health effects of RF EMF exposure relevant to guidelines"
    }
  ]
}
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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: 10.1667/rr2153.1
PubMed: 20726726

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