Neurobehavioral effects among inhabitants around mobile phone base stations.
Author: Abdel Rassoul G, El Fateh OA, Salem MA, Michael A, Farahat F, El Batanouny M, Salem E.
Source:
Neurotoxicology, 28(2), 434-440.
BACKGROUND: There is a general concern on the possible hazardous health effects
of exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiations (RFR) emitted from
mobile phone base station antennas on the human nervous system. AIM: To identify
the possible neurobehavioral deficits among inhabitants living nearby mobile
phone base stations. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on (85)
inhabitants living nearby the first mobile phone station antenna in Menoufiya
governorate, Egypt, 37 are living in a building under the station antenna while
48 opposite the station. A control group (80) participants were matched with the
exposed for age, sex, occupation and educational level. All participants
completed a structured questionnaire containing: personal, educational and
medical histories; general and neurological examinations; neurobehavioral test
battery (NBTB) [involving tests for visuomotor speed, problem solving, attention
and memory]; in addition to Eysenck personality questionnaire (EPQ). RESULTS: The
prevalence of neuropsychiatric complaints as headache (23.5%), memory changes
(28.2%), dizziness (18.8%), tremors (9.4%), depressive symptoms (21.7%), and
sleep disturbance (23.5%) were significantly higher among exposed inhabitants
than controls: (10%), (5%), (5%), (0%), (8.8%) and (10%), respectively (P<0.05).
The NBTB indicated that the exposed inhabitants exhibited a significantly lower
performance than controls in one of the tests of attention and short-term
auditory memory [Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT)]. Also, the
inhabitants opposite the station exhibited a lower performance in the problem
solving test (block design) than those under the station. All inhabitants
exhibited a better performance in the two tests of visuomotor speed (Digit symbol
and Trailmaking B) and one test of attention (Trailmaking A) than controls. The
last available measures of RFR emitted from the first mobile phone base station
antennas in Menoufiya governorate were less than the allowable standard level.
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Inhabitants living nearby mobile phone base
stations are at risk for developing neuropsychiatric problems and some changes in
the performance of neurobehavioral functions either by facilitation or
inhibition. So, revision of standard guidelines for public exposure to RER from
mobile phone base station antennas and using of NBTB for regular assessment and
early detection of biological effects among inhabitants around the stations are
recommended.