Symptoms experienced by users of digital cellular phones: a pilot study in a French engineering school.
Santini R, Seigne M, Bonhomme-Faivre L, Bouffet S, Defrasne E, Sage M · 2001
View Original AbstractHigher frequency cell phones (1800 MHz) caused more concentration problems than lower frequency phones (900 MHz) in this early user survey.
Plain English Summary
French researchers surveyed 161 engineering students and workers about symptoms they experienced while using digital cell phones operating at 900 MHz and 1800 MHz frequencies. They found that users of the higher frequency phones (1800 MHz) reported significantly more concentration difficulties, while women experienced more sleep disturbances than men. Phone users also reported physical discomfort including ear warmth and pricking sensations that increased with longer daily use.
Why This Matters
This early study from 2001 provides important real-world evidence that different cell phone frequencies can produce different symptom patterns in users. The finding that 1800 MHz phones caused more concentration problems than 900 MHz phones suggests that higher frequencies may have more pronounced neurological effects. What makes this research particularly valuable is that it captured user experiences during the early days of digital cell phone adoption, before widespread habituation to these devices. The dose-response relationship they documented - where longer daily use correlated with more physical symptoms - aligns with what we'd expect from a biological effect rather than psychological factors alone. While this was a relatively small pilot study, it anticipated many of the cognitive and sleep-related complaints that have become increasingly common as cell phone use has exploded over the past two decades.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study. The study examined exposure from: 1800-MHz and 900-MHz (GSM) cellular phones
Study Details
A survey study, using a questionnaire, was conducted in 161 students and workers in a French engineering school on symptoms experienced during use of digital cellular phones.
A significant increase in concentration difficulties (p<.05) was reported by users of 1800-MHz (DCS)...
Show BibTeX
@article{r_2001_symptoms_experienced_by_users_2564,
author = {Santini R and Seigne M and Bonhomme-Faivre L and Bouffet S and Defrasne E and Sage M},
title = {Symptoms experienced by users of digital cellular phones: a pilot study in a French engineering school.},
year = {2001},
doi = {10.1081/JBC-120003113},
url = {https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1081/JBC-120003113},
}