Are people living next to mobile phone base stations more strained? Relationship of health concerns, self-estimated distance to base station, and psychological parameters.

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Coeval with the expansion of mobile phone technology and the associated obvious presence of mobile phone base stations, some people living close to these masts reported symptoms they attributed to electromagnetic fields (EMF). Public and scientific discussions arose with regard to whether these symptoms were due to EMF or were nocebo effects. The aim of this study was to find out if people who believe that they live close to base stations show psychological or psychobiological differences that would indicate more strain or stress. Furthermore, we wanted to detect the relevant connections linking self-estimated distance between home and the next mobile phone base station (DBS), daily use of mobile phone (MPU), EMF-health concerns, electromagnetic hypersensitivity, and psychological strain parameters. DESIGN, MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-seven participants completed standardized and non-standardized questionnaires that focused on the relevant parameters. In addition, saliva samples were used as an indication to determine the psychobiological strain by concentration of alpha-amylase, cortisol, immunoglobulin A (IgA), and substance P. RESULTS: Self-declared base station neighbors (DBS </= 100 meters) had significantly higher concentrations of alpha-amylase in their saliva, higher rates in symptom checklist subscales (SCL) somatization, obsessive-compulsive, anxiety, phobic anxiety, and global strain index PST (Positive Symptom Total). There were no differences in EMF-related health concern scales. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that self-declared base station neighbors are more strained than others. EMF-related health concerns cannot explain these findings. Further research should identify if actual EMF exposure or other factors are responsible for these results.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Participants self-declaring they lived within ≤100 m of a base station had higher salivary alpha-amylase concentrations and higher scores on several symptom checklist subscales and a global strain index (PST). No differences were found in EMF-related health concern scales between groups.

Outcomes measured

• Psychological strain (symptom checklist subscales: somatization, obsessive-compulsive, anxiety, phobic anxiety; global strain index PST)
• Salivary biomarkers of psychobiological strain (alpha-amylase, cortisol, immunoglobulin A (IgA), substance P)
• EMF-related health concerns
• Electromagnetic hypersensitivity
• Daily mobile phone use

Limitations

• Cross-sectional design; cannot determine causality
• Exposure based on self-estimated distance to base station rather than measured EMF exposure
• Small sample size (n=57)
• Potential for reporting/selection bias given reliance on self-declared proximity and symptom questionnaires

Suggested hubs

• who-icnirp (0.35)
  Study addresses health concerns and symptoms attributed to RF EMF from base stations, relevant to major guideline/policy discussions.
• occupational-exposure (0)

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    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "mobile phone base station",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": null
    },
    "population": "Participants reporting varying self-estimated distance from home to nearest mobile phone base station",
    "sample_size": 57,
    "outcomes": [
        "Psychological strain (symptom checklist subscales: somatization, obsessive-compulsive, anxiety, phobic anxiety; global strain index PST)",
        "Salivary biomarkers of psychobiological strain (alpha-amylase, cortisol, immunoglobulin A (IgA), substance P)",
        "EMF-related health concerns",
        "Electromagnetic hypersensitivity",
        "Daily mobile phone use"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Participants self-declaring they lived within ≤100 m of a base station had higher salivary alpha-amylase concentrations and higher scores on several symptom checklist subscales and a global strain index (PST). No differences were found in EMF-related health concern scales between groups.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Cross-sectional design; cannot determine causality",
        "Exposure based on self-estimated distance to base station rather than measured EMF exposure",
        "Small sample size (n=57)",
        "Potential for reporting/selection bias given reliance on self-declared proximity and symptom questionnaires"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "mobile phone base stations",
        "RF EMF",
        "self-estimated distance",
        "psychological strain",
        "stress",
        "nocebo",
        "alpha-amylase",
        "saliva biomarkers",
        "symptom checklist"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "who-icnirp",
            "weight": 0.34999999999999997779553950749686919152736663818359375,
            "reason": "Study addresses health concerns and symptoms attributed to RF EMF from base stations, relevant to major guideline/policy discussions."
        },
        {
            "slug": "occupational-exposure",
            "weight": 0,
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}

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