GSM base stations: Short-term effects on well-being.
Augner C, Florian M, Pauser G, Oberfeld G, Hacker GW. · 2009
View Original AbstractCell tower radiation made people calmer in controlled tests, proving these signals affect brain function at levels below safety limits.
Plain English Summary
Austrian researchers exposed 57 people to different levels of radiofrequency radiation from cell phone base stations during controlled laboratory sessions. They found that participants felt significantly calmer when exposed to higher radiation levels compared to those exposed to minimal radiation. This suggests that cell tower signals may affect psychological well-being by reducing mental arousal.
Why This Matters
This study reveals something counterintuitive about EMF exposure: cell tower radiation appears to have a sedating effect on the nervous system. While participants felt calmer during higher exposures, this isn't necessarily good news. The science demonstrates that our brains are responding to these radiofrequency signals in measurable ways, even at power levels far below current safety guidelines. The highest exposure level (2.1 milliwatts per square meter) represents what you might experience living very close to a cell tower. What this means for you is that EMF exposure isn't just about heating tissue, as regulators claim. These fields are bioactive at non-thermal levels, influencing brain function and psychological states. The reality is that if cell tower radiation can alter your mood and mental arousal, it's reasonable to ask what other neurological effects might occur with chronic exposure.
Exposure Details
- Power Density
- 0.00000052, 0.00001536, 0.00021268 µW/m²
- Exposure Duration
- Five 50-min exposure
Exposure Context
This study used 0.00000052, 0.00001536, 0.00021268 µW/m² for radio frequency:
- 52x above the Building Biology guideline of 0.1 μW/m²
- 0.9x above the BioInitiative Report recommendation of 0.0006 μW/cm²
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 Details
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of short-term GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) cellular phone base station RF-EMF (radiofrequency electromagnetic fields) exposure on psychological symptoms (good mood, alertness, calmness) as measured by a standardized well-being questionnaire.
Fifty-seven participants were selected and randomly assigned to one of three different exposure scen...
Scenario LL had four successive “low” exposure sessions constituting the reference condition. Partic...
We conclude that short-term exposure to GSM base station signals may have an impact on well-being by reducing psychological arousal.
Show BibTeX
@article{c_2009_gsm_base_stations_shortterm_826,
author = {Augner C and Florian M and Pauser G and Oberfeld G and Hacker GW.},
title = {GSM base stations: Short-term effects on well-being.},
year = {2009},
doi = {10.1002/bem.20447},
url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/bem.20447},
}