Effects of exposure to GSM mobile phone base station signals on salivary cortisol, alpha-amylase, and immunoglobulin A.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to test whether exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) emitted by mobile phone base stations may have effects on salivary alpha-amylase, immunoglobulin A (IgA), and cortisol levels. METHODS: Fifty seven participants were randomly allocated to one of three different experimental scenarios (22 participants to scenario 1, 26 to scenario 2, and 9 to scenario 3). Each participant went through five 50-minute exposure sessions. The main RF-EMF source was a GSM-900-MHz antenna located at the outer wall of the building. In scenarios 1 and 2, the first, third, and fifth sessions were "low" (median power flux density 5.2 microW/m(2)) exposure. The second session was "high" (2126.8 microW/m(2)), and the fourth session was "medium" (153.6 microW/m(2)) in scenario 1, and vice versa in scenario 2. Scenario 3 had four "low" exposure conditions, followed by a "high" exposure condition. Biomedical parameters were collected by saliva samples three times a session. Exposure levels were created by shielding curtains. RESULTS: In scenario 3 from session 4 to session 5 (from "low" to "high" exposure), an increase of cortisol was detected, while in scenarios 1 and 2, a higher concentration of alpha-amylase related to the baseline was identified as compared to that in scenario 3. IgA concentration was not significantly related to the exposure. CONCLUSIONS: RF-EMF in considerably lower field densities than ICNIRP-guidelines may influence certain psychobiological stress markers.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

An increase in cortisol was detected when exposure changed from low to high in one scenario. Higher alpha-amylase concentrations were found in two scenarios compared to a third. IgA concentration was not significantly related to exposure.

Outcomes measured

• salivary cortisol
• alpha-amylase
• immunoglobulin A (IgA)

Limitations

• Small sample size in one scenario (9 participants)
• Only short-term exposure assessed
• Exposure levels were lower than ICNIRP guidelines

Suggested hubs

• 5g-policy (0.3)
  Study involves mobile phone base station RF exposure relevant to wireless communication policy.

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    "study_type": "randomized_trial",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "mobile phone base station",
        "frequency_mhz": 900,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "five 50-minute exposure sessions"
    },
    "population": "57 participants",
    "sample_size": 57,
    "outcomes": [
        "salivary cortisol",
        "alpha-amylase",
        "immunoglobulin A (IgA)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "An increase in cortisol was detected when exposure changed from low to high in one scenario. Higher alpha-amylase concentrations were found in two scenarios compared to a third. IgA concentration was not significantly related to exposure.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "Small sample size in one scenario (9 participants)",
        "Only short-term exposure assessed",
        "Exposure levels were lower than ICNIRP guidelines"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.40000000000000002220446049250313080847263336181640625,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "RF-EMF",
        "GSM-900 MHz",
        "mobile phone base station",
        "cortisol",
        "alpha-amylase",
        "immunoglobulin A",
        "psychobiological stress markers"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "5g-policy",
            "weight": 0.299999999999999988897769753748434595763683319091796875,
            "reason": "Study involves mobile phone base station RF exposure relevant to wireless communication policy."
        }
    ]
}

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