3,138 Studies Reviewed. 77.4% Found Biological Effects. The Evidence is Clear.

Note: This study found no significant biological effects under its experimental conditions. We include all studies for scientific completeness.

Symptoms experienced in connection with mobile phone use.

No Effects Found

Oftedal G, Wilen J, Sandstrom M, Mild KH · 2000

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Nearly one in four mobile phone users in this large study experienced symptoms like headaches and facial burning during phone use.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers surveyed 17,000 mobile phone users across Norway and Sweden to document symptoms people experienced while using their phones. They found that 31% of Norwegian users and 13% of Swedish users reported at least one symptom connected to phone use, with the most common being warmth around the ear, burning facial sensations, and headaches that typically began during calls and lasted up to 2 hours. While nearly half of those experiencing symptoms took steps to reduce them, few sought medical care, suggesting these effects were bothersome but not considered serious health problems by users.

Study Details

Many people in Norway and Sweden reported headaches, fatigue, and other symptoms experienced in connection with the use of a mobile phone (MP). Therefore, we initiated a cross-sectional epidemiological study among 17,000 people, all using an MP in their job.

Thirty-one percent of the respondents in Norway and 13% of those in Sweden had experienced at least ...

These results suggest an awareness of the symptoms, but not necessarily a serious health problem.

Cite This Study
Oftedal G, Wilen J, Sandstrom M, Mild KH (2000). Symptoms experienced in connection with mobile phone use. Occup Med (Lond) 50(4):237-245, 2000.
Show BibTeX
@article{g_2000_symptoms_experienced_in_connection_3278,
  author = {Oftedal G and Wilen J and Sandstrom M and Mild KH},
  title = {Symptoms experienced in connection with mobile phone use.},
  year = {2000},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10912374/},
}

Quick Questions About This Study

Researchers surveyed 17,000 mobile phone users across Norway and Sweden to document symptoms people experienced while using their phones. They found that 31% of Norwegian users and 13% of Swedish users reported at least one symptom connected to phone use, with the most common being warmth around the ear, burning facial sensations, and headaches that typically began during calls and lasted up to 2 hours. While nearly half of those experiencing symptoms took steps to reduce them, few sought medical care, suggesting these effects were bothersome but not considered serious health problems by users.