Abstract

Overview

This study explores the impact of co-exposure to 900 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) and high-level noise on various physiological parameters in juvenile rats, with a specific emphasis on sleep, weight gain, and food intake.

Objective

The objective was to determine the effects of RF-EMF on juvenile rats with attention to whether additional environmental factors like noise could exacerbate these effects. Electrohypersensitive individuals often report sleep disturbances due to RF-EMF exposure, thus making it a focal point of the study.

Methods

• Age: 3-week-old male Wistar rats
• Groups: Four, with 12 rats per group
• Exposure: 5 weeks to continuous 900 MHz RF-EMF (1.8 V/m, 30 mW/kg SAR) alongside high-level noise (87.5 dB, 50-20000 Hz) during resting periods.

Findings

Exposure to RF-EMF, with or without noise, led to an increase in body weight. Specific changes in eating behaviors were noted:

• Hyperphagia (increased food intake) in the noise-only and RF-EMF + noise groups.
• Hypophagia (decreased food intake) in the RF-EMF-only group.

Alterations in sleep were also observed, such as increased active wakefulness in the RF-EMF-only group and a lower non-rapid eye movement/rapid eye movement sleep ratio in the noise-only group.

Conclusion

The study did not support the hypothesis that the effects of RF-EMF on physiological functions are amplified when combined with noise exposure. The RF-EMF + noise group showed no exacerbation compared to the individual exposures. These findings reveal the potential health risks associated with RF-EMF exposure.