Study type: Epidemiological study (observational study)

The "Mainzer EMF-Wachhund": results from a watchdog project on self-reported health complaints attributed to exposure to electromagnetic fields epidem.

Published in: Bioelectromagnetics 2006; 27 (4): 280-287

Aim of study (acc. to author)

A survey on self-reported health complaints attributed to exposure to electromagnetic fields was conducted in Germany.

Further details

The "Mainzer EMF-Wachhund," a watchdog project, offered an Internet-based system of self-notification of health complaints. The user could fill in a questionnaire that contained personal questions, a list of 30 symptoms possibly experienced during the last month, a list of potential sources of electromagnetic field exposure, self-classification of hypersensitivity, and seeking medical advice.

Endpoint/type of risk estimation

Type of risk estimation:

Exposure

Assessment

Exposure groups

Group Description
Group 1 exposure to all sources
Group 2 exposure to mobile phone base stations
Group 3 exposure to mobile phones or cordless phones
Group 4 exposure to extremely low frequency electric or magnetic fields from power lines, electrical appliances, or railroads

Population

Study size

Type Value
Participants 205

Results (acc. to author)

192 persons reported health complaints in relation to electromagnetic field exposures. Of these, 56% classified themselves as electromagnetic hypersensitive and more common affected by all kinds of electromagnetic fields rather than single field sources. The study base obtained by the Internet-based questionnaire was not representative to estimate a population-based prevalence.

Study funded by

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