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Sleep & Circadian Rhythm

Effects of everyday radiofrequency electromagnetic-field exposure on sleep quality: a cross-sectional study.

No Effects Found

Mohler E, Frei P, Braun-Fahrländer C, Fröhlich J, Neubauer G, Röösli M. · 2010

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This large Swiss study found no association between everyday RF exposure from phones and towers and sleep quality problems.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Swiss researchers studied 1,375 people in Basel to see if everyday radiofrequency radiation from cell towers, mobile phones, and cordless phones affected their sleep quality. They found no connection between RF exposure levels and sleep problems or daytime sleepiness, even among the 10% most exposed participants. This large population study suggests that typical environmental RF exposure doesn't impair sleep quality.

Study Details

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the association between exposure to various sources of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMFs) in the everyday environment and sleep quality, which is a common public health concern.

We assessed self-reported sleep disturbances and daytime sleepiness in a random population sample o...

In multivariable regression models, adjusted for relevant confounders, no associations between envir...

The results of this large cross-sectional study did not indicate an impairment of subjective sleep quality due to exposure from various sources of RF EMFs in everyday life.

Cite This Study
Mohler E, Frei P, Braun-Fahrländer C, Fröhlich J, Neubauer G, Röösli M. (2010). Effects of everyday radiofrequency electromagnetic-field exposure on sleep quality: a cross-sectional study. Radiat Res. 174(3):347-356, 2010.
Show BibTeX
@article{e_2010_effects_of_everyday_radiofrequency_3255,
  author = {Mohler E and Frei P and Braun-Fahrländer C and Fröhlich J and Neubauer G and Röösli M. },
  title = {Effects of everyday radiofrequency electromagnetic-field exposure on sleep quality: a cross-sectional study.},
  year = {2010},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20726726/},
}
PubMed: 20726726

Cited By (55 papers)

View all 55 citing papers on Semantic Scholar

Quick Questions About This Study

A 2010 Swiss study of 1,375 Basel residents found no connection between radiofrequency radiation from cell towers and sleep problems. Even the 10% most exposed participants showed no increased risk of sleep disturbances or daytime sleepiness compared to less exposed individuals.
Research on 1,375 people in Basel found no association between cordless phone use and excessive daytime sleepiness. The study specifically examined DECT cordless phones alongside mobile phones and found neither type of device impacted sleep quality or daytime alertness.
A large cross-sectional study of Swiss residents found no evidence that everyday environmental RF exposure from multiple sources impairs sleep quality. Researchers measured far-field RF EMF exposure and found no associations with sleep disturbances in their analysis.
The 2010 Basel study by Mohler and colleagues found that typical environmental EMF exposure levels in the city did not impair subjective sleep quality. This research examined real-world exposure from cell towers, mobile phones, and cordless phones affecting 1,375 residents.
Swiss researchers found no sleep quality impairment from combined exposure to mobile phones, cordless phones, and environmental radiofrequency fields. The study of 1,375 Basel residents showed no increased risk of sleep problems even among the most exposed participants.