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Brain & Nervous System

Effects of GSM signals during exposure to event related potentials (ERPs)

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Bak M, Dudarewicz A, Zmyślony M, Sliwinska-Kowalska M · 2010

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Exposure to GSM EMF was associated with lower P300 brain-wave amplitudes, an effect that reversed when exposure stopped.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers assessed the effect of electromagnetic field from the GSM mobile phone system on human brain function in volunteers. The assessment was based on event related potentials, with P300 latency, amplitude, and latency of the N1, N2, P2 waves analysed. The statistical analysis revealed an effect of EMF on P300 amplitude, with lower amplitudes observed only during exposure. No statistically significant changes were noted in the latencies of the N1, N2, P2 waves or in the latency of the P300 itself.

Why This Matters

No change in P300 amplitude was observed during sham exposure, which the authors described as an indirect proof that the lower amplitude values were due to EMF exposure. The amplitude effect appeared to be temporary: once exposure was discontinued, amplitude values returned to those seen before EMF was applied. The authors suggested that exposure to GSM EMF exerts some effects on the central nervous system, including effects on long latency ERPs.

Exposure Details

SAR
0.81 W/kg
Power Density
0.001 to 10 mW/cm²
Source/Device
GSM 935 MHz telephones
Exposure Duration
continuously for 20 min

Exposure Context

This study used 0.001 to 10 mW/cm² for radio frequency:

This study used 0.81 W/kg for SAR (device absorption):

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 Exposure Level in ContextStudy Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 0.001 to 10 mW/cm²Extreme Concern - 1,000 µW/m²FCC Limit - 10M µW/m²Effects observed in the Extreme Concern range (Building Biology)FCC limit is 1,000 times higher than this level
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 935 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 935 MHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

The primary aim of this work was to assess the effect of electromagnetic field (EMF) from the GSM mobile phone system on human brain function. The assessment was based on the assay of event related potentials (ERPs)

The study group consisted of 15 volunteers, including 7 men and 8 women. The test protocol comprised...

The statistical analysis revealed an effect of EMF on P300 amplitude. In the experiment with EMF exp...

The results suggest that exposure to GSM EMF exerts some effects on CNS, including effects on long latency ERPs.

Cite This Study
Bak M, Dudarewicz A, Zmyślony M, Sliwinska-Kowalska M (2010). Effects of GSM signals during exposure to event related potentials (ERPs) Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 23(2):191-199, 2010.
Show BibTeX
@article{m_2010_effects_of_gsm_signals_65,
  author = {Bak M and Dudarewicz A and Zmyślony M and Sliwinska-Kowalska M},
  title = {Effects of GSM signals during exposure to event related potentials (ERPs)},
  year = {2010},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20682490/},
}
PubMed: 20682490

Cited By (17 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

The statistical analysis revealed an effect of EMF on P300 amplitude, with lower values observed during exposure.
When exposure was discontinued, amplitude values returned to those observed before EMF application.
No statistically significant changes were noted in the latencies of the N1, N2, P2 waves or in the latency of the P300 itself.
The study group consisted of 15 volunteers, including 7 men and 8 women.
The results suggest that exposure to GSM EMF exerts some effects on the CNS, including effects on long latency ERPs.