RF Safe

No effects of acute exposure to the electromagnetic field emitted by mobile phones on brainstem auditory potentials in young volunteers.

International journal of occupational medicine and environmental health · 2003 · No effect · Low evidence

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No effectLow evidencePaper 5258

In 45 young healthy volunteers, no differences in ABR wave (I, III, V) or inter-wave (I–V) latencies were observed during or immediately after 20 minutes of mobile-phone EMF exposure at 450, 935, or 1800 MHz compared with baseline.

Study snapshot

PublicationInternational journal of occupational medicine and environmental health · 2003
Study typeother
Reported directionNo effect
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: A widespread use of mobile phones evokes a growing concern for their possible adverse effects on the human central nervous system. This study was aimed at evaluating the effects of EMF generated by mobile phones, at all standard wavelengths: 450, 935 and 1800 MHz used in Poland, on the auditory brainstem-evoked responses (ABR) during and after the exposure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effects of acute exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) on ABR were evaluated in 45 young, healthy volunteers of both genders. The electromagnetic impulses were generated with the antenna of mobile phone. The exposure was induced by repeated phone activation for 20 min. The ABR evaluation was performed before, during and immediately after the exposure, and the latencies of waves I, III and V, and inter-waves I-V were analyzed. RESULTS: Prior test calibration on a phantom did not show the influence of the external EMF generated by the mobile phone on the ABR equipment. For neither EMF frequency, differences were observed in wave and inter-wave latencies during and after exposure to EMF compared to the initial ABR pattern, in both men and woman. CONCLUSIONS: This implies that commonly used mobile phones do not affect propagation of electrical stimuli along the auditory nerve to auditory brainstem centers.

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 typeother
Effect directionno_effect
Population45 young, healthy volunteers (both genders)
Sample size45
ExposureRF · Acute exposure; repeated phone activation for 20 min
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In 45 young healthy volunteers, no differences in ABR wave (I, III, V) or inter-wave (I–V) latencies were observed during or immediately after 20 minutes of mobile-phone EMF exposure at 450, 935, or 1800 MHz compared with baseline.

Outcomes measured

  • Auditory brainstem-evoked responses (ABR)
  • Latencies of waves I, III and V
  • Inter-wave latency I–V

Limitations

  • Exposure described as acute (20 min) only; no longer-term outcomes reported
  • Only ABR latency measures assessed; other neurological outcomes not evaluated
  • Exposure metrics beyond frequency (e.g., SAR) not reported in abstract
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "other",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "Acute exposure; repeated phone activation for 20 min"
  },
  "population": "45 young, healthy volunteers (both genders)",
  "sample_size": 45,
  "outcomes": [
    "Auditory brainstem-evoked responses (ABR)",
    "Latencies of waves I, III and V",
    "Inter-wave latency I–V"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In 45 young healthy volunteers, no differences in ABR wave (I, III, V) or inter-wave (I–V) latencies were observed during or immediately after 20 minutes of mobile-phone EMF exposure at 450, 935, or 1800 MHz compared with baseline.",
  "effect_direction": "no_effect",
  "limitations": [
    "Exposure described as acute (20 min) only; no longer-term outcomes reported",
    "Only ABR latency measures assessed; other neurological outcomes not evaluated",
    "Exposure metrics beyond frequency (e.g., SAR) not reported in abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "mobile phone",
    "RF EMF",
    "450 MHz",
    "935 MHz",
    "1800 MHz",
    "auditory brainstem-evoked responses",
    "ABR",
    "latency",
    "young volunteers",
    "acute exposure"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}
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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: Not supplied
PubMed: 14587532

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