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Brain & Nervous System

Acute effects of the electromagnetic waves emitted by mobile phones on attention in emergency physicians

No Effects Found

Altuntas G, Sadoglu D, Ardic S, Yilmaz H, Imamoglu M, Turedi S · 2018

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Emergency physicians showed improved selective attention after 15 minutes of mobile phone radiation exposure, indicating measurable brain changes from EMF.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Turkish researchers tested whether 15-minute mobile phone exposure affects attention in 30 emergency physicians using standardized cognitive tests. They found that physicians exposed to active phones (900-1800 MHz) actually performed better on selective attention tasks compared to those holding inactive phones. The study suggests short-term phone radiation may temporarily enhance certain cognitive functions.

Exposure Information

A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 900-1800 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 900-1800 MHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale
Cite This Study
Altuntas G, Sadoglu D, Ardic S, Yilmaz H, Imamoglu M, Turedi S (2018). Acute effects of the electromagnetic waves emitted by mobile phones on attention in emergency physicians.
Show BibTeX
@article{acute_effects_of_the_electromagnetic_waves_emitted_by_mobile_phones_on_attention_in_emergency_physicians_ce3139,
  author = {Altuntas G and Sadoglu D and Ardic S and Yilmaz H and Imamoglu M and Turedi S},
  title = {Acute effects of the electromagnetic waves emitted by mobile phones on attention in emergency physicians},
  year = {2018},
  doi = {10.1016/j.ajem.2017.11.031},
  
}
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2017.11.031PubMed: 29157789

Quick Questions About This Study

This study found emergency physicians performed better on selective attention tasks after 15-minute exposure to 900-1800 MHz mobile phone radiation compared to inactive phone controls. However, any brain function change indicates biological effects.
The study specifically tested emergency physicians but found similar cognitive effects as seen in other populations. Emergency physicians' high-stress work environment didn't appear to alter their brain's response to mobile phone EMF.
Researchers used standard mobile phone frequencies of 900-1800 MHz, which covers most cellular communication bands. This frequency range is what most people are exposed to during regular phone calls.
Changes in selective attention were measurable after just 15 minutes of mobile phone exposure. This suggests brain responses to EMF can occur relatively quickly, within typical phone call durations.
While the study framed attention improvements as positive, any measurable brain function change from EMF exposure indicates biological activity. Short-term enhancement doesn't necessarily mean long-term safety for brain health.