Exposure to radio signals from 3G cellphone base stations can cause headaches and nausea, finds new work from a Dutch research organisation. However, both independent and industry experts are sceptical about the results and the researchers themselves admit surprise at their findings.
The government-backed research is the first to compare how current GSM phone signals and next generation, or 3G, signals may affect cognitive functions. The study involved exposing two sets of 36 volunteers to signals simulating those from base stations. One group consisted of people who had previously reported feeling effects from base stations, while the other group had no history of complaint.
In both groups, they found a significant relationship between exposure to the 3G signal and detrimental effects on general 鈥渨ell-being鈥�, characterised by feelings of nausea, tingling and headaches. No such relationships were found for GSM exposure. Both 3G and GSM signals affected cognitive functions in some cases, including reaction times, memory and alertness.
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Peter Zwamborn, who led the TNO team that produced the report, says he cannot explain the effect but adds that the findings have forced him to re-evaluate his view of cellphones. 鈥淣ow I see that electromagnetic fields do something to humans, but what bothers me is that I cannot understand it,鈥� he told 快猫短视频.
The GSM Association, which represents mobile phone operators, says it welcomes such studies and acknowledges that the effects are statistically significant. But it adds in a statement: 鈥淎s the effects are small, it is unclear whether they have any health significance.鈥�
Too low
Alan Preece at the University of Bristol, UK, who has also studied the cognitive effects of mobile phones, is unconvinced by the work: 鈥淥n the face of it, it seems incredibly unlikely.鈥�
He says the exposure levels are simply too low to expect an effect. There are also 3G base stations in operation in numerous places, so 鈥渓ots of us are exposed to this sort of level 鈥� we should already be seeing a massive effect鈥�, he says.
Zwamborn says he can appreciate this view: 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 expect to find an effect with such a low exposure.鈥� One possible explanation is that the level used is the maximum found in normal circumstances. 鈥淣ormally it鈥檚 a 10 times lower,鈥� he says.
A spokeswoman for the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, one the of the three ministries that commissioned the research, told 快猫短视频 that the government plans to take up the issue of base stations and human health with the European Commission.