Non-specific physical symptoms in relation to actual and perceived proximity to mobile phone base stations and powerlines.

BMC public health · 2011 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 4458

Study snapshot

PublicationBMC public health · 2011

Study typecross_sectional

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Evidence about a possible causal relationship between non-specific physical symptoms (NSPS) and exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) emitted by sources such as mobile phone base stations (BS) and powerlines is insufficient. So far little epidemiological research has been published on the contribution of psychological components to the occurrence of EMF-related NSPS. The prior objective of the current study is to explore the relative importance of actual and perceived proximity to base stations and psychological components as determinants of NSPS, adjusting for demographic, residency and area characteristics. METHODS: Analysis was performed on data obtained in a cross-sectional study on environment and health in 2006 in the Netherlands. In the current study, 3611 adult respondents (response rate: 37%) in twenty-two Dutch residential areas completed a questionnaire. Self-reported instruments included a symptom checklist and assessment of environmental and psychological characteristics. The computation of the distance between household addresses and location of base stations and powerlines was based on geo-coding. Multilevel regression models were used to test the hypotheses regarding the determinants related to the occurrence of NSPS. RESULTS: After adjustment for demographic and residential characteristics, analyses yielded a number of statistically significant associations: Increased report of NSPS was predominantly predicted by higher levels of self-reported environmental sensitivity; perceived proximity to base stations and powerlines, lower perceived control and increased avoidance (coping) behavior were also associated with NSPS. A trend towards a moderator effect of perceived environmental sensitivity on the relation between perceived proximity to BS and NSPS was verified (p = 0.055). There was no significant association between symptom occurrence and actual distance to BS or powerlines. CONCLUSIONS: Perceived proximity to BS, psychological components and socio-demographic characteristics are associated with the report of symptomatology. Actual distance to the EMF source did not show up as determinant of NSPS.

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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

PopulationAdult respondents in 22 Dutch residential areas (Netherlands)

Sample size3611

ExposureNot supplied

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 86% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In multilevel models adjusted for demographic and residential characteristics, higher self-reported environmental sensitivity, perceived proximity to base stations and powerlines, lower perceived control, and increased avoidance (coping) behavior were associated with increased reporting of NSPS. There was no significant association between NSPS occurrence and actual distance to base stations or powerlines.

Outcomes measured

Non-specific physical symptoms (NSPS)
Self-reported symptom occurrence

Limitations

Cross-sectional design
Self-reported symptoms and psychological/environmental characteristics
Response rate 37%

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "cross_sectional",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "mobile phone base stations and powerlines",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Adult respondents in 22 Dutch residential areas (Netherlands)",
  "sample_size": 3611,
  "outcomes": [
    "Non-specific physical symptoms (NSPS)",
    "Self-reported symptom occurrence"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In multilevel models adjusted for demographic and residential characteristics, higher self-reported environmental sensitivity, perceived proximity to base stations and powerlines, lower perceived control, and increased avoidance (coping) behavior were associated with increased reporting of NSPS. There was no significant association between NSPS occurrence and actual distance to base stations or powerlines.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Cross-sectional design",
    "Self-reported symptoms and psychological/environmental characteristics",
    "Response rate 37%"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.86,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "non-specific physical symptoms",
    "NSPS",
    "electromagnetic fields",
    "EMF",
    "mobile phone base stations",
    "powerlines",
    "perceived proximity",
    "actual distance",
    "environmental sensitivity",
    "perceived control",
    "avoidance coping",
    "multilevel regression",
    "Netherlands"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "who-icnirp",
      "weight": 0.28,
      "reason": "Addresses symptoms in relation to proximity to EMF sources (base stations/powerlines) and notes insufficient evidence for causality."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.1186/1471-2458-11-421
PubMed: 21631930

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