Long-term sickness and mobile phone use.
Hallberg O, Johansson O. · 2004
View Original AbstractSwedish population data shows long-term sickness rates correlating with increasing mobile phone use, suggesting potential widespread health impacts.
Plain English Summary
Swedish researchers examined the relationship between mobile phone use and long-term sickness absence from work across Sweden's population. They found a correlation between increasing mobile phone use (measured as 'ear-heating minutes per year') and rising rates of long-term sick leave. The study suggests this trend will continue as mobile phone usage increases, pointing to potential widespread health impacts from cellular phone radiation.
Why This Matters
This population-level analysis provides important context for understanding EMF health effects beyond laboratory studies. While correlation doesn't prove causation, the researchers identified a concerning pattern: as Sweden's mobile phone usage climbed, so did long-term illness rates requiring extended work absence. What makes this significant is the scale - this isn't about individual users but entire population trends. The concept of 'ear-heating minutes' is telling, as it acknowledges that mobile phones generate enough energy to warm tissue during calls. The reality is that most people today far exceed the exposure levels from 2004, when this study was conducted. We're now carrying smartphones constantly, not just making occasional calls.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.
Study Details
In this paper we take a close look at the development of mobile phone communication to see how it possibly relates to the health impairment of the Swedish population.
Official data was collected regarding mobile phone use and long term absence from work. The co-varia...
It was concluded that future long term absence rates will continue to increase as long as the annual number of ear-heating minutes per year is increasing.
Show BibTeX
@article{o_2004_longterm_sickness_and_mobile_2142,
author = {Hallberg O and Johansson O.},
title = {Long-term sickness and mobile phone use.},
year = {2004},
url = {https://search.informit.org/doi/abs/10.3316/INFORMIT.541853471992611},
}