RF-EMF exposure effects on sleep - Age doesn't matter in men!

Authors: Torsten Eggert, Hans Dorn, Cornelia Sauter, Gernot Schmid, Heidi Danker-Hopfe

Year: 2020 Sep 12

Category: Health Science

Journal: Environ Res

DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.110173

URL: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32931791/

Abstract

Overview

Investigations into the short-term effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) on sleep often omit the potential impacts differentiating by sex or age. This study aims to fill this knowledge gap by analyzing RF-EMF effect modifications by age among male subjects.

Methods

Data from three double-blind, randomized crossover studies involving both young and older healthy male volunteers were analyzed.
Two exposure signals, GSM900 and TETRA, were compared against a sham exposure. Sleep was monitored using polysomnography equipped with a head-worn antenna.
The analysis focused on both subjective and objective sleep parameters to assess the potential impacts of RF-EMF exposure.

Findings

Despite prominent physiological differences in sleep parameters between young and elderly men under sham exposure, RF-EMF exposure consistently shortened the latency to persistent sleep under TETRA exposure in both age groups, demonstrating a sleep-promoting effect. Variations by age in the response to GSM900 exposure were noted in subjective sleep parameters and during REM sleep arousals under TETRA exposure.

Conclusion

The influence of RF-EMF on sleep appears sporadic across different age groups of men, suggesting that age may not significantly modify the sleep-related effects of RF-EMF. While no definitive adverse health effects are indicated by this study, the absence of data from corresponding female cohorts means these results cannot be conclusively verified across sexes.

← Back to Stats