8,700 Studies Reviewed. 87.0% Found Biological Effects. The Evidence is Clear.
Shield Your Body
Whole Body / General

Changes in tympanic temperature during the exposure to electromagnetic fields emitted by mobile phone.

Bioeffects Seen

Bortkiewicz A, Gadzicka E, Szymczak W, Zmyślony M. · 2012

View Original Abstract
Share:

Cell phone heating effects depend on usage pattern: continuous calls raise ear temperature while intermittent use lowers it.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Polish researchers measured ear temperature in 10 young men during different patterns of cell phone exposure at 900 MHz. They found that continuous phone use for one hour raised ear temperature, while intermittent use (15 minutes on, 15 minutes off) actually lowered it compared to no exposure. The temperature changes persisted for hours after exposure ended, suggesting the body's response depends heavily on how EMF exposure is delivered.

Why This Matters

This study reveals something crucial that most EMF research overlooks: the pattern of exposure matters as much as the intensity. The researchers found that continuous cell phone use at SAR levels of 1.23 W/kg (well within current safety limits) produced measurable heating effects, while intermittent exposure had the opposite effect. What this means for you is that taking breaks during long phone calls isn't just good for your neck - it may actually help your body manage EMF exposure more effectively. The science demonstrates that our biological systems respond differently to continuous versus pulsed EMF exposure, yet current safety standards largely ignore these timing factors. The reality is that most people use their phones intermittently throughout the day, but when we do have long conversations, we're typically holding the device against our head continuously - exactly the exposure pattern this study shows produces the most pronounced heating effects.

Exposure Details

SAR
1.23 W/kg
Source/Device
900 MHz
Exposure Duration
1. on a day with 2×60 min of no exposure (sham day), 2. on a day with continuous, 60 min exposure and 60 min of no exposure, 3. on a day with intermittent exposure (4×15 min "on" and 4×15 min "off").

Exposure Context

This study used 1.23 W/kg for SAR (device absorption):

Building Biology guidelines are practitioner-based limits from real-world assessments. BioInitiative Report recommendations are based on peer-reviewed science. Check Your Exposure to compare your own measurements.

Where This Falls on the Concern Scale

Study Exposure Level in ContextStudy Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 1.23 W/kgExtreme Concern - 0.1 W/kgFCC Limit - 1.6 W/kgEffects observed in the Extreme Concern rangeFCC limit is 1x higher than this level
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 900 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 900 MHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

The aim of the experiment was to check if exposure to EMF emitted by mobile phone influenced the tympanic temperature.

Human volunteer study was performed on ten healthy young men, aged 22.1±4.7 years, examined three ti...

The mean T(ty) in the whole group during continuous exposure was significantly higher than during sh...

The results of this analysis indicate that the physiological response to EMF exposure from mobile phone was mostly related to type of exposure (continuous or intermittent).

Cite This Study
Bortkiewicz A, Gadzicka E, Szymczak W, Zmyślony M. (2012). Changes in tympanic temperature during the exposure to electromagnetic fields emitted by mobile phone. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 25(2): 145-150, 2012.
Show BibTeX
@article{a_2012_changes_in_tympanic_temperature_871,
  author = {Bortkiewicz A and Gadzicka E and Szymczak W and Zmyślony M.},
  title = {Changes in tympanic temperature during the exposure to electromagnetic fields emitted by mobile phone.},
  year = {2012},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22411069/},
}
PubMed: 22411069

Cited By (20 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, cell phone radiation can raise body temperature, but the effect depends on usage patterns. A 2012 Polish study found continuous phone use for one hour increased ear temperature, while intermittent use actually lowered it. Temperature changes persisted for hours after exposure ended.
Mobile phone use can affect ear temperature in different ways depending on usage. Continuous exposure for one hour raised ear temperature significantly, while intermittent use (15 minutes on, 15 off) lowered it compared to no exposure, according to research on 900 MHz signals.
Continuous phone use appears to have different biological effects than intermittent use. Research shows continuous exposure raised ear temperature while intermittent exposure lowered it. The body's physiological response to EMF depends heavily on how the exposure is delivered over time.
Phone radiation effects on body temperature can persist for hours after exposure ends. One study found temperature changes lasting at least two hours after both continuous and intermittent cell phone use, suggesting the body needs time to return to baseline.
Yes, phone usage patterns significantly affect radiation's biological impact. Research demonstrates that continuous use raises ear temperature while intermittent use lowers it. The physiological response to EMF exposure depends more on usage pattern than total exposure time.