Posted on 10/01/2003 3:59:52 PM PDT by blam
3G mobile signals can cause nausea, headaches
October 01 2003 at 02:12AM
Radio signals for the next generation of mobile phone services can cause headaches and nausea, according to a study conducted by three Dutch ministries.
The study, the first of its kind, compared the impact of radiation from base stations used for the current mobile telephone network with that of base stations for new third generation (3G) networks for fast data transfer, which will enable services such as video conferencing on a mobile device.
A base station, which usually covers a "cell" area of several square kilometres, transmits signals to mobile phones with an electromagnetic field.
"If the test group was exposed to third generation base station signals there was a significant impact ... They felt tingling sensations, got headaches and felt nauseous," a spokesperson for the Dutch economics ministry said.
There was no negative impact from signals for current mobile networks.
However, cognitive functions such as memory and response times were boosted by both 3G signals and the current signals, the study found. It said people became more alert when they were exposed to both.
Government ministers responsible for economic affairs, health and telecommunications said follow-up research was needed to confirm the findings as well as to look at any longer-term health effects and biological causes.
They will also discuss the study with the European Commission, the spokesperson said.
The double-blind laboratory tests - meaning no one in the survey knew if a 3G-like base station was actually transmitting signals - exposed test subjects to expected levels of average radiation for 3G networks when they become commercial.
The GSM Association, a global organization of mobile telecommunications operators, said it was studying the report and could not comment.
The study, conducted by the Dutch technological research institute TNO, was the first to look for an impact of mobile telephones on well-being. It was also the first study to find a statistically significant negative impact from 3G base stations.
Previous research on a negative health impact of mobile phones, mostly second-generation, has been inconclusive.
Existing research gives no scientific evidence that second-generation phones cause brain tumors, while a long-term study by the International Agency on Research on Cancer is not expected to yield results before 2004.
Previous research did find an impact on cognitive functions, which was also found in the Dutch survey. But TNO noted that earlier studies always measured the impact of cellphones held close to the head, causing high fields of radiation close to the ear and warming of the brain.
TNO's study used lower a dose of radiation to mimic base station signals rather than handsets.
Handsets emit stronger radiation when they are used, while base stations transmit more constant levels of radio signals, exposing everyone within range.
No it was conclusive, it found no measurable effect.
At close range, transmitters with enough power can cause skin heating, (like the conventional microwave oven). So don't get too close. Now, you have to get close to the transmitter, but they have very low power levels. What people who believe this stuff need to understand is that we are all bathed in Electromagnetic waves from birth to death and they have not found a lind to symptoms or serious illness. Now who funded this study, and are they aware of the "placebo" effect. Perhaps the persons were asked if they felt ill, but were the transmitters turned on and off with out their knowledge? Junk Science in my opinion.
/john
There was no negative impact from signals for current mobile networks.
THIS part REALLY makes no sense; the modulation systems are largely identical (GSM air-interface for Europe), the ERP (base station radiated power of handest power) isn't significantly different - WAS this 'study' truely as "double-blind" as indicated?
RF from a transmitter is 'RF' (verily, it's electromagnetic energy); the change from the use of 800 MHz to 1800 MHz isn't that stark in biological effects ...
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