Greater prevalence of symptoms associated with higher exposures to mobile phone base stations in a hilly, densely populated city in Mizoram, India

Authors: Sailo L, Laldinpuii, Zosangzuali M, Weller S, Varte CL, Tochhawng L, McCredden JE, Zothansiama

Year: 2025 Jun 8

Category: Epidemiology

Journal: Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine

DOI: 10.1080/15368378.2025.2513900

URL: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/15368378.2025.2513900

Abstract

Overview

With the increasing deployment of mobile phone base stations (MPBS) in urban areas, there is growing concern about the potential health and environmental effects of radio-frequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) on residents. This study examined the health impact of RF-EMF (900-1900 MHz) by focusing on four symptom categories: mood-energy, cognitive-sensory, inflammatory, and anatomical.

Study Design

  • Participants: 183 residents highly exposed to RF-EMF and 126 reference residents, matched on demographics.
  • Method: Questionnaire identifying symptoms in the four health categories and in-home measurement of RF-EMF power density.

Findings

  • Living within 50 meters of a MPBS or being exposed to power densities of 5-8 mW/m2 significantly increased the prevalence of symptoms across all health categories.
  • The primary factor influencing symptom presentation was the level of exposure (power density), as established by hierarchical regression analysis.
  • Younger residents (<40 years) near base stations reported a higher prevalence of inflammation-related symptoms, such as headache, allergy, and chest pain, compared to older individuals.
  • Other contributing factors included age, daily mobile phone usage (>5 hours/day), and lifestyle factors like smoking and drinking.

Conclusion

Though all measured RF-EMF exposure levels were below current ICNIRP and Indian government public limits, they often exceeded the Bioinitiative Report 2012 safety recommendations. The research suggests current "safety" standards are inadequate, as they do not comprehensively address long-term, non-thermal biological impacts. Notably, symptom prevalence was associated with both duration and intensity of exposure, supporting the need for cumulative risk considerations when revising public exposure limits.

The study highlights the necessity for policymakers to adopt a precautionary approach and to reassess current RF-EMF safety standards, emphasizing biological effects beyond thermal impacts. There is a call for urgent updates to public health guidelines based on emerging scientific evidence.

  • Continuous, long-term exposure to RF-EMF from MPBS is linked to increased health symptoms even at levels under official "safety" limits.
  • Policy revision and stricter regulation are advised to protect public health, especially regarding chronic exposure in densely populated areas.
RF-EMF mobile phone base station health symptoms exposure India epidemiology public safety
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