Assessment of acute changes in cognitive performance arising from exposure to TETRA handsets

project team:
Søren K. Kjærgaard¹, Ingunn S. Riddervold¹, Lars Mølhave¹, Torben Sigsgaard¹, Anders D. Pedersen⁴, Niels T. Andersen³, Bobby Zachariae⁵, Jørgen B. Andersen² og Gert F. Pedersen².

research institutions:
¹Afdeling for Miljø- og Arbejdsmedicin, Institut for Folkesundhed, Aarhus Universitet
²Institut for Elektroniske Systemer, Aalborg Universitet
³Afdeling for Biostatistik, Institut for Folkesundhed, Aarhus Universitet

⁴Afdeling for Arbejdsmedicin, Århus Universitetshospital

⁵Psykoonkologisk Forskningsenhed, Århus Universitetshospital

TETRA digital mobile radio communication system is designed for use by the emergency services. It has been suggested that the transmitter, that pulses at 17,65 Hz, could present a health risk. The aim of this study was to asses whether healthy adults experience more subjective symptoms and an acute reduction in their cognitive functions when exposed to TETRA handset compared to sham. The study that was completed in a climate chamber used a cross-over type design with randomized exposures. The study was double blinded, and subjects were allocated to exposure orders in random. 53 healthy subjects (policemen, fire-fighters and emergency service employees) were exposed to sham and TETRA signal. The Trail Making test, part B and other neuropsychological tests was used to assess changes within the more fundamental cognitive processes. A questionnaire, using visual analogue scales (VAS-scales) was used for assessment of subjective symptoms. The knowledge achieved by this project will contribute with knowledge about predict the potential health consequences of TETRA exposures. Further the information may be valuable for risk assessments, and developing exposure criteria for regulations and other public policy guidance and occupational settings.

Data are now collected and analysed. Expected publication time is in 2008.


background research reading material publications links / contact
Danish Front page Det Strategiske Forskningsråd varetager forskningsprogrammet for ikke-ioniserende stråling. DSF’s bestyrelse udmønter ikke selv programmidler, og bestyrelsen har derfor nedsat en programkomite for ikke-ioniserende stråling bestående af fire anerkendte forskere. Der er afsat en samlet ramme på 30 mio. kr. til programmet. 15 mio. kr. blev uddelt i 2004, og 15 mio. kr. i 2005. Oplysninger om denne forskningsindsats – bl.a. omtale af de bevilgede projekter og forskernes oplæg på de afholdte åbne møder kan ses på DSF’s website på adressen: www.mobil.forsk.dk	Assessment of acute changes in cognitive performance arising from exposure to TETRA handsets project team: Søren K. Kjærgaard¹, Ingunn S. Riddervold¹, Lars Mølhave¹, Torben Sigsgaard¹, Anders D. Pedersen⁴, Niels T. Andersen³, Bobby Zachariae⁵, Jørgen B. Andersen² og Gert F. Pedersen². research institutions: ¹Afdeling for Miljø- og Arbejdsmedicin, Institut for Folkesundhed, Aarhus Universitet ²Institut for Elektroniske Systemer, Aalborg Universitet ³Afdeling for Biostatistik, Institut for Folkesundhed, Aarhus Universitet ⁴Afdeling for Arbejdsmedicin, Århus Universitetshospital ⁵Psykoonkologisk Forskningsenhed, Århus Universitetshospital TETRA digital mobile radio communication system is designed for use by the emergency services. It has been suggested that the transmitter, that pulses at 17,65 Hz, could present a health risk. The aim of this study was to asses whether healthy adults experience more subjective symptoms and an acute reduction in their cognitive functions when exposed to TETRA handset compared to sham. The study that was completed in a climate chamber used a cross-over type design with randomized exposures. The study was double blinded, and subjects were allocated to exposure orders in random. 53 healthy subjects (policemen, fire-fighters and emergency service employees) were exposed to sham and TETRA signal. The Trail Making test, part B and other neuropsychological tests was used to assess changes within the more fundamental cognitive processes. A questionnaire, using visual analogue scales (VAS-scales) was used for assessment of subjective symptoms. The knowledge achieved by this project will contribute with knowledge about predict the potential health consequences of TETRA exposures. Further the information may be valuable for risk assessments, and developing exposure criteria for regulations and other public policy guidance and occupational settings. Data are now collected and analysed. Expected publication time is in 2008.