Prevalence of subjective poor health symptoms associated with exposure to electromagnetic fields among university students.

Bioelectromagnetics · 2007 · No effect · Low evidence

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No effectLow evidencePaper 5075

Study snapshot

PublicationBioelectromagnetics · 2007

Study typecross_sectional

Reported directionNo effect

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

The number of people complaining about different symptoms that may be associated with exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) has increased rapidly during past years. Students use both mobile phones and video display terminals frequently. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of mobile phone use and EMF health hazards. Basic demographic data and self-reported symptoms were sought using a questionnaire administered to all apparently healthy students at Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences (RUMS) and Vali-e-Asr University (VAU). Questions about some major confounding factors such as age, gender, amount of video display terminal work were also included. Exact Fischer Test was used for data analysis. Among self-reported symptoms, headache (53.5%), fatigue (35.6%), difficulties in concentration (32.5%), vertigo/dizziness (30.4%), attention disorders (28.8%), nervousness (28.1%), palpitation (14.7%), low back pain (14.3%), myalgia (12.4%), and tinnitus (9.9%) were the main self-reported symptoms. No significant differences in the prevalence of these symptoms were found between CRT users and those who did not use CRTs. A significant association was found between cordless phone use and difficulties in concentration (P < .05) or attention disorders (P < .05). However, after correction of the gender role, these differences were not significant. No association was found between mobile phone use and the above-mentioned symptoms. No significantly higher prevalence of self-reported symptoms was found in individuals who had used mobile phones, video display terminals or cordless phones more frequently than others. Mass-media's lack of interest in the possible hazards of exposure to EMF in developing countries can explain the difference observed between the results of this study and those of other researchers in some developed countries who have shown an association between EMF exposure and the prevalence of self-reported subjective symptoms. This finding can confirm the results obtained in provocative studies which indicated the role of psychological factors in electromagnetic hypersensitivity. More research is needed to clarify whether daily environmental EMF may cause health problems.

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

PopulationApparently healthy university students at Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences (RUMS) and Vali-e-Asr University (VAU)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureNot supplied

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In a questionnaire study of university students, no association was found between mobile phone use and the listed self-reported symptoms, and no significant differences were found between CRT users and non-users. Cordless phone use was initially associated with concentration difficulties and attention disorders (P<.05), but these differences were not significant after correction for gender; more frequent use of mobile phones, video display terminals, or cordless phones was not associated with higher symptom prevalence.

Outcomes measured

Self-reported subjective symptoms (e.g., headache, fatigue, concentration difficulties, vertigo/dizziness, attention disorders, nervousness, palpitation, low back pain, myalgia, tinnitus)

Limitations

Exposure was based on self-reported device use rather than measured EMF levels
Cross-sectional design limits causal inference
Sample size not reported in the abstract
Symptoms were self-reported and may be subject to reporting/recall bias
Potential confounding may remain despite inclusion of some factors (age, gender, amount of video display terminal work)

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "cross_sectional",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "mobile phone, cordless phone, video display terminals (CRT)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Apparently healthy university students at Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences (RUMS) and Vali-e-Asr University (VAU)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Self-reported subjective symptoms (e.g., headache, fatigue, concentration difficulties, vertigo/dizziness, attention disorders, nervousness, palpitation, low back pain, myalgia, tinnitus)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In a questionnaire study of university students, no association was found between mobile phone use and the listed self-reported symptoms, and no significant differences were found between CRT users and non-users. Cordless phone use was initially associated with concentration difficulties and attention disorders (P<.05), but these differences were not significant after correction for gender; more frequent use of mobile phones, video display terminals, or cordless phones was not associated with higher symptom prevalence.",
  "effect_direction": "no_effect",
  "limitations": [
    "Exposure was based on self-reported device use rather than measured EMF levels",
    "Cross-sectional design limits causal inference",
    "Sample size not reported in the abstract",
    "Symptoms were self-reported and may be subject to reporting/recall bias",
    "Potential confounding may remain despite inclusion of some factors (age, gender, amount of video display terminal work)"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "electromagnetic fields",
    "mobile phone",
    "cordless phone",
    "video display terminal",
    "CRT",
    "university students",
    "self-reported symptoms",
    "electromagnetic hypersensitivity"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "school-wi-fi",
      "weight": 0.2,
      "reason": "Study population is students, but exposure is phones/VDTs rather than Wi‑Fi; only a weak thematic overlap."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.1002/bem.20305
PubMed: 17330851

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