Human short-term exposure to electromagnetic fields emitted by mobile phones decreases computer-assisted visual reaction time.
Mortazavi SM, Rouintan MS, Taeb S, Dehghan N, Ghaffarpanah AA, Sadeghi Z, Ghafouri F · 2012
View Original AbstractVisual reaction time in university students was significantly shorter after real mobile phone exposure (286.78 ms) than after sham exposure (295.86 ms, P < 0.001).
Plain English Summary
Researchers measured visual reaction time in 160 right-handed university students aged 18 to 31 before and after a 10-minute real or sham exposure to electromagnetic fields emitted by mobile phones. The mean reaction time after real exposure was 286.78 ms and after sham exposure was 295.86 ms (P < 0.001). The researchers also compared reaction times across low-level, moderate, and frequent mobile phone users to assess possible chronic exposure effects. Male students showed shorter reaction times than female students in both talk and standby modes.
Why This Matters
The study used a simple blind computer-assisted visual reaction time test, recording responses before and after exposure. Age did not significantly alter reaction time in either talk or standby mode. The students' VRT was significantly affected by exposure to electromagnetic fields emitted by a mobile phone. The researchers concluded that these exposures cause decreased reaction time, which may lead to a better response to different hazards. They further suggested that this phenomenon might decrease the chances of human errors and fatal accidents.
Exposure Details
- SAR
- 1.23 W/kg
- Exposure Duration
- 5 x 10 min. (in random order with sham exposure and 30 min. rest in between)
Exposure Context
This study used 1.23 W/kg for SAR (device absorption):
- 3.1x above the Building Biology guideline of 0.4 W/kg
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 Details
The aim of this study was to assess both the acute and chronic effects of electromagnetic fields emitted by mobile phones on reaction time in university students.
Visual reaction time (VRT) of young university students was recorded with a simple blind computer-as...
The age of students did not significantly alter the reaction time either in talk or in standby mode....
It can be concluded that these exposures cause decreased reaction time, which may lead to a better response to different hazards. In this light, this phenomenon might decrease the chances of human errors and fatal accidents.
Show BibTeX
@article{sm_2012_human_shortterm_exposure_to_148,
author = {Mortazavi SM and Rouintan MS and Taeb S and Dehghan N and Ghaffarpanah AA and Sadeghi Z and Ghafouri F},
title = {Human short-term exposure to electromagnetic fields emitted by mobile phones decreases computer-assisted visual reaction time.},
year = {2012},
url = {https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs13760-012-0044-y},
}