Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Field Exposure and the Resting EEG: Exploring the Thermal Mechanism Hypothesis

Sarah P. Loughran, Adam Verrender, Anna Dalecki, Catriona A. Burdon, Kyoko Tagami, Joonhee Park, Nigel A. S. Taylor and Rodney J. Croft
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Sarah P. Loughran: Australian Centre for Electromagnetic Bioeffects Research (ACEBR), Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave, Wollongong NSW 2522, Australia
Adam Verrender: Australian Centre for Electromagnetic Bioeffects Research (ACEBR), Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave, Wollongong NSW 2522, Australia
Anna Dalecki: Australian Centre for Electromagnetic Bioeffects Research (ACEBR), Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave, Wollongong NSW 2522, Australia
Catriona A. Burdon: Centre for Human and Applied Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, Wollongong NSW 2522, Australia
Kyoko Tagami: Centre for Human and Applied Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, Wollongong NSW 2522, Australia
Joonhee Park: Centre for Human and Applied Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, Wollongong NSW 2522, Australia
Nigel A. S. Taylor: Australian Centre for Electromagnetic Bioeffects Research (ACEBR), Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave, Wollongong NSW 2522, Australia
Rodney J. Croft: Australian Centre for Electromagnetic Bioeffects Research (ACEBR), Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave, Wollongong NSW 2522, Australia

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 9, 1-11

Abstract: There is now strong evidence that radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure influences the human electroencephalogram (EEG). While effects on the alpha band of the resting EEG have been repeatedly shown, the mechanisms underlying that effect have not been established. The current study used well-controlled methods to assess the RF-EMF exposure effect on the EEG and determine whether that effect might be thermally mediated. Thirty-six healthy adults participated in a randomized, double-blind, counterbalanced provocation study. A water-perfusion suit (34 °C) was worn throughout the study to negate environmental influences and stabilize skin temperature. Participants attended the laboratory on four occasions, the first being a calibration session and the three subsequent ones being exposure sessions. During each exposure session, EEG and skin temperature (8 sites) were recorded continuously during a baseline phase, and then during a 30 min exposure to a 920 MHz GSM-like signal (Sham, Low RF-EMF (1 W/kg) and High RF-EMF (2 W/kg)). Consistent with previous research, alpha EEG activity increased during the High exposure condition compared to the Sham condition. As a measure of thermoregulatory activation, finger temperature was found to be higher during both exposure conditions compared to the Sham condition, indicating for the first time that the effect on the EEG is accompanied by thermoregulatory changes and suggesting that the effect of RF-EMF on the EEG is consistent with a thermal mechanism.

Keywords: radiofrequency electromagnetic fields; body temperature; electroencephalogram; mobile phones; exposure limits (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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