Outdoor and indoor sources of residential radiofrequency electromagnetic fields, personal cell phone and cordless phone use, and cognitive function in 5-6 years old children.

Environmental research · 2016 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 4850

Study snapshot

PublicationEnvironmental research · 2016

Study typecross_sectional

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the exposure of young children to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) and potentially associated health effects. We assessed the relationship between residential RF-EMF exposure from mobile phone base stations, residential presence of indoor sources, personal cell phone and cordless phone use, and children's cognitive function at 5-6 years of age. METHODS: Cross-sectional study on children aged 5-6 years from the Amsterdam Born Children and their Development (ABCD) study, the Netherlands (n=2354). Residential RF-EMF exposure from mobile phone base stations was estimated with a 3D geospatial radio wave propagation model. Residential presence of indoor sources (cordless phone base stations and Wi-Fi) and children's cell phone and cordless phone use was reported by the mother. Speed of information processing, inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility, and visuomotor coordination was assessed using the Amsterdam Neuropsychological Tasks. RESULTS: Residential presence of RF-EMF indoor sources was associated with an improved speed of information processing. Higher residential RF-EMF exposure from mobile phone base stations and presence of indoor sources was associated with an improved inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility whereas we observed a reduced inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility with higher personal cordless phone use. Higher residential RF-EMF exposure from mobile phone base stations was associated with a reduced visuomotor coordination whereas we observed an improved visuomotor coordination with residential presence of RF-EMF indoor sources and higher personal cell phone use. CONCLUSIONS: We found inconsistent associations between different sources of RF-EMF exposure and cognitive function in children aged 5-6 years.

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 directionmixed

PopulationChildren aged 5–6 years from the Amsterdam Born Children and their Development (ABCD) study, the Netherlands

Sample size2354

ExposureRF

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Residential presence of indoor RF-EMF sources was associated with improved speed of information processing. Higher modeled residential exposure from mobile phone base stations and presence of indoor sources were associated with improved inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility, while higher personal cordless phone use was associated with reduced inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility. Higher residential base-station exposure was associated with reduced visuomotor coordination, whereas indoor sources and higher personal cell phone use were associated with improved visuomotor coordination; overall associations were described as inconsistent.

Outcomes measured

Speed of information processing
Inhibitory control
Cognitive flexibility
Visuomotor coordination

Limitations

Cross-sectional design
Residential base-station exposure estimated via 3D geospatial propagation model (not direct personal measurement)
Indoor sources and children’s phone use were mother-reported

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "cross_sectional",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "residential (mobile phone base stations; indoor sources incl. cordless phone base stations and Wi‑Fi) and personal device use (cell phone, cordless phone)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Children aged 5–6 years from the Amsterdam Born Children and their Development (ABCD) study, the Netherlands",
  "sample_size": 2354,
  "outcomes": [
    "Speed of information processing",
    "Inhibitory control",
    "Cognitive flexibility",
    "Visuomotor coordination"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Residential presence of indoor RF-EMF sources was associated with improved speed of information processing. Higher modeled residential exposure from mobile phone base stations and presence of indoor sources were associated with improved inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility, while higher personal cordless phone use was associated with reduced inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility. Higher residential base-station exposure was associated with reduced visuomotor coordination, whereas indoor sources and higher personal cell phone use were associated with improved visuomotor coordination; overall associations were described as inconsistent.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Cross-sectional design",
    "Residential base-station exposure estimated via 3D geospatial propagation model (not direct personal measurement)",
    "Indoor sources and children’s phone use were mother-reported"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "RF-EMF",
    "radiofrequency electromagnetic fields",
    "children",
    "cognitive function",
    "mobile phone base stations",
    "Wi-Fi",
    "cordless phone",
    "cell phone use",
    "ABCD study",
    "geospatial propagation model",
    "Amsterdam Neuropsychological Tasks"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "school-wi-fi",
      "weight": 0.32,
      "reason": "Assesses residential presence of Wi‑Fi as an indoor RF-EMF source in relation to child cognitive outcomes."
    }
  ]
}

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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.envres.2016.06.021
PubMed: 27348251

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