Health disturbances and exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields from mobile-phone base stations in French urban areas.

Environmental research · 2021 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 5613

Study snapshot

PublicationEnvironmental research · 2021

Study typecross_sectional

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

The effects of radiofrequency exposure on the health of people living near mobile-phone base stations (MPBSs) have been the subject of several studies since the mid-2000s, with contradictory results. We aimed to investigate the association between measured exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) from MPBSs and the presence of self-reported non-specific and insomnia-like symptoms. A cross-sectional survey conducted between 2015 and 2017 in five large cities in France involved 354 people living in buildings located at a distance of 250 m or less from an MPBS and in the main transmit beam of the antennas. Information on environmental concerns, anxiety, and non-specific and insomnia-like symptoms was collected with a questionnaire administrated by telephone. A complete broadband field-meter measurement [100 kHz - 6 GHz] was then made at five points of each dwelling, followed by a spectral analysis at the point of highest exposure, detailing the contribution of each service, including MPBS. The median exposure from MPBS was 0.27 V/m (0.44 V/m for global field), ranging from 0.03 V/m to 3.58 V/m, MPBSs being the main source of exposure for 64% of the dwellings. In this study population, the measured exposure from MPBSs was not associated with self-reported non-specific or insomnia-like symptoms. However, for insomnia-like symptoms, a significant interaction was found between RF-EMF exposure from MPBSs and environmental concerns. These findings do not support the hypothesis of an effect of RF-EMF from MPBSs on non-specific or insomnia-like symptoms in the overall population. Studies are needed to further investigate the positive association observed between exposure from MPBSs and insomnia-like symptoms among people reporting environmental concerns.

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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

PopulationAdults living in buildings ≤250 m from a mobile-phone base station and in the main transmit beam of the antennas, in five large cities in France

Sample size354

ExposureRF · Measured at dwellings during survey period (2015–2017); broadband 100 kHz–6 GHz with spectral analysis at highest-exposure point

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In 354 residents living within 250 m of a mobile-phone base station, measured RF-EMF exposure from base stations (median 0.27 V/m; range 0.03–3.58 V/m) was not associated with self-reported non-specific or insomnia-like symptoms overall. For insomnia-like symptoms, a significant interaction was reported between base-station RF-EMF exposure and environmental concerns, and the authors note a positive association among those reporting environmental concerns.

Outcomes measured

Self-reported non-specific symptoms
Self-reported insomnia-like symptoms
Environmental concerns
Anxiety

Limitations

Cross-sectional design (cannot establish temporality/causality)
Symptoms were self-reported via telephone questionnaire
Study restricted to residents within 250 m and in the main transmit beam; may limit generalizability

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "cross_sectional",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone base station",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "Measured at dwellings during survey period (2015–2017); broadband 100 kHz–6 GHz with spectral analysis at highest-exposure point"
  },
  "population": "Adults living in buildings ≤250 m from a mobile-phone base station and in the main transmit beam of the antennas, in five large cities in France",
  "sample_size": 354,
  "outcomes": [
    "Self-reported non-specific symptoms",
    "Self-reported insomnia-like symptoms",
    "Environmental concerns",
    "Anxiety"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In 354 residents living within 250 m of a mobile-phone base station, measured RF-EMF exposure from base stations (median 0.27 V/m; range 0.03–3.58 V/m) was not associated with self-reported non-specific or insomnia-like symptoms overall. For insomnia-like symptoms, a significant interaction was reported between base-station RF-EMF exposure and environmental concerns, and the authors note a positive association among those reporting environmental concerns.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Cross-sectional design (cannot establish temporality/causality)",
    "Symptoms were self-reported via telephone questionnaire",
    "Study restricted to residents within 250 m and in the main transmit beam; may limit generalizability"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "RF-EMF",
    "radiofrequency electromagnetic fields",
    "mobile-phone base stations",
    "measured exposure",
    "broadband field-meter",
    "spectral analysis",
    "non-specific symptoms",
    "insomnia-like symptoms",
    "environmental concerns",
    "France",
    "urban"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "who-icnirp",
      "weight": 0.35,
      "reason": "Observational study of health symptoms in relation to measured RF exposure from mobile-phone base stations, relevant to RF health-risk assessment discussions."
    },
    {
      "slug": "5g-policy",
      "weight": 0.2,
      "reason": "Base-station RF exposure and self-reported symptoms may be cited in policy debates about cellular infrastructure (though 5G is not explicitly mentioned)."
    }
  ]
}

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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.2020.110583
PubMed: 33285159

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