Epidemiological study (observational study)

Does exposure to environmental radiofrequency electromagnetic fields cause cognitive and behavioral effects in 10-year-old boys? epidem.

By: Calvente I, Perez-Lobato R, Nunez MI, Ramos R, Guxens M, Villalba J, Olea N, Fernandez MF

Published in: Bioelectromagnetics 2016; 37 (1): 25-36

Aim of study (acc. to author)

The association between environmental exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields and the cognitive and behavioral function of boys was investigated in a cohort study in Spain.

Further details

Cognitive tests include general cognitive intelligence, language (verbal knowledge, general knowledge and riddles), attention, verbal memory (memory and learning processes), visual-motor coordination (Trail Making Test), processing speed, executive function (e.g., working memory, cognition inhibition, motor inhibition, and abstract reasoning).
Behavioral function was evaluated with a standardized parent report questionnaire (Child Behavior Checklist).

Endpoint/type of risk estimation

neuropsychological functions (intelligence quotient, verbal expression and comprehension, attention, verbal memory, visual-motor coordination, executive function (e.g., working memory, cognition inhibition, motor inhibition, abstract reasoning), processing speed) and behavioral problems

Type of risk estimation:

prevalence

Exposure

- 100 kHz–6 GHz
- intermediate frequency
- RF field
- radar
- TV broadcast (VHF/UHF)
- FM broadcast (UKW)
- AM radio transmitters
- SW broadcast (KW)
- DVB-T
- mobile communications
- mobile phone
- mobile phone base station
- GSM
- Bluetooth
- DECT
- cordless phone
- wireless transmitter
- W-LAN/WiFi
- residential

Assessment

questionnaire: parents reported Wi-Fi coverage at home, whether their children had a cell phone and, if so, whether it was used (e.g., voice calls against the head, in speaker mode, or for data, etc.) or never used by the children
measurement: spot measurements of electric field strength in the frequency range 100 kHz to 6 GHz outdoor of the residences
calculation: root mean-square of power density and maximum power density

Exposure groups

Group	Description
Reference group 1	root mean-square power density: < 285.9 mW/m² (median)
Group 2	root mean-square power density: ≥ 285.9 mW/m² (median)
Reference group 3	maximum power density: < 2759.7 mW/m² (median)
Group 4	maximum power density: ≥ 2759.7 mW/m² (median)

Population

Group:
- children
Age: 9–11 years
Characteristics: boys of the Spanish Environment and Childhood mother-child cohort study INMA
Observation period: 2000 - 2002, follow-up 2011 - 2012
Study location: Spain
Exclusion criteria: hyperactivity, language disorder, Asperger syndrome, spina bifida

Study size

Type	Value
Total	668
Participants	123
Evaluable	119

Statistical analysis method:

linear regression
logistic regression

(adjustment:

residential area
maternal education, smoking during pregnancy, WiFi access at home

)

Results (acc. to author)

Most of the cognitive and behavioral parameters did not show any effect, however, children living in areas with higher exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (group 2) had lower scores for verbal expression/comprehension and higher scores for internalizing and total problems as well as obsessive-compulsive and post-traumatic stress disorders in comparison to the reference group. These associations were stronger when maximum power density values were considered.
The authors summarized that definitive conclusions cannot be drawn. Although some of the results may suggest that low-level environmental exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields has a negative impact on cognitive and/or behavior development in children, there are some limitations in the study design and the majority of neurobehavioral functioning tasks were not affected.

Study funded by

Consejería de Salud, Junta de Andalucía (Andalusia Regional Government), Spain
European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) - Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER), EU
European Union (EU)/European Commission
FIS (Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias, Health Research Fund) (Instituto de Salud Carlos III., Ministerio de Sanidad y Consumo) (Carlos III Health Institute, Ministry of Health and Consumption), Spain

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