The risk of subjective symptoms in mobile phone users in Poland - An epidemiological study.
Szyjkowska A, Gadzicka E, Szymczak W, Bortkiewicz A. · 2014
View Original AbstractHeavy mobile phone users experienced headaches 63% more often than light users, with symptoms appearing during calls.
Plain English Summary
Polish researchers surveyed 587 mobile phone users to understand what symptoms people experience from cell phone use. They found that heavy phone users (those making frequent, long calls) were significantly more likely to report headaches (63% of heavy users), fatigue (45%), and warmth around the ear during or after calls. The symptoms typically appeared during calls and disappeared within 2 hours, though 26% experienced headaches lasting over 6 hours.
Why This Matters
This Polish study adds important real-world evidence to the growing body of research documenting EMF-related symptoms. What makes this research particularly valuable is its focus on dose-response relationships - the clear pattern showing that heavier phone users experience more symptoms. The 63% headache rate among intensive users is striking, especially when you consider that these symptoms consistently appeared during or immediately after phone use. While critics might dismiss these as 'subjective' symptoms, the reality is that millions of people worldwide report similar experiences. The timing pattern - symptoms appearing during calls and typically resolving within hours - suggests a direct biological response rather than psychological factors. This data from 2005 becomes even more relevant today, as our wireless exposure has increased dramatically with smartphones, WiFi, and 5G networks.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.
Study Details
To assess the type and incidence of subjective symptoms related to the use of mobile phones in Polish users.
The study was conducted in 2005 using a questionnaire survey. Although it has been quite a long time...
As many as 1800 questionnaires were sent. The response was obtained from 587 subjects aged 32.6 ± 11...
Our results show that the mobile phone users may experience subjective symptoms, the intensity of which depends on the intensity of use of mobile phones.
Show BibTeX
@article{a_2014_the_risk_of_subjective_2731,
author = {Szyjkowska A and Gadzicka E and Szymczak W and Bortkiewicz A.},
title = {The risk of subjective symptoms in mobile phone users in Poland - An epidemiological study.},
year = {2014},
url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24692074/},
}