mobile phone; behavioural problems; cognitive functions; adolescents; radiofrequency electromagnetic fields; cohort study ; epidemiology; environment; health
Schoeni Anna, Roser Katharina, Röösli Martin (2017), Symptoms and the use of wireless communication devices: A prospective cohort study in Swiss adolescents., in
Environmental research, 154, 275-283.
Roser Katharina, Schoeni Anna, Röösli Martin (2016), Mobile phone use, behavioural problems and concentration capacity in adolescents: A prospective study., in
International journal of hygiene and environmental health, 219, 759-769.
Roser Katharina, Schoeni Anna, Struchen Benjamin, Zahner Marco, Eeftens Marloes, Fröhlich Jürg, Röösli Martin (2016), Personal radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure measurements in Swiss adolescents., in
Environment international, 0.
Schoeni Anna, Roser Katharina, Bürgi Alfred, Röösli Martin (2016), Symptoms in Swiss adolescents in relation to exposure from fixed site transmitters: a prospective cohort study., in
Environmental health : a global access science source, 15(1), 77-77.
Roser Katharina, Schoeni Anna, Buergi Alfred, Röösli Martin (2015), Development of an RF-EMF Exposure Surrogate for Epidemiologic Research, in
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH, 12(5), 5634-5656.
Schoeni Anna, Roser Katharina, Röösli Martin (2015), Memory performance, wireless communication and exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields: A prospective cohort study in adolescents, in
Environment International, 85, 343-351.
Foerster M., Roser K., Schoeni A., Röösli M (2015), Problematic mobile phone use in adolescents: derivation of a short scale MPPUS-10, in
International Journal of Public Health, 60(2), 277-286.
Schoeni Anna, Roser Katharina, Röösli Martin (2015), Symptoms and Cognitive Functions in Adolescents in Relation to Mobile Phone Use during Night, in
PLOS ONE, 10(7), e0133528.
Urbinello Damiano, Joseph Wout, Huss Anke, Verloock Leen, Beekhuizen Johan, Vermeulen Roel, Martens Luc, Röösli Martin (2014), Radio-frequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure levels in different European outdoor urban environments in comparison with regulatory limits, in
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL, 68, 49-54.
Urbinello Damiano, Joseph Wout, Verloock Leen, Martens Luc, Röösli Martin (2014), Temporal trends of radio-frequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure in everyday environments across European cities, in
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH, 134, 134-142.
Roser Katharina, Schoeni Anna, Foerster Milena, Röösli Martin, Problematic mobile phone use of Swiss adolescents: is it linked with mental health or behaviour?, in
International Journal of Public Health.
Background: Mobile phones are the most important source for radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) exposure to the head. To date, epidemiological research on the health effects of mobile phone use in children and adolescents is scarce and the World Health Organization (WHO) considers additional research in this age group the highest priority in this field of research.A particular challenge in this research area is the differentiation between radiation effects and other effects that may be the consequence of regularly using mobile phone such as social interactions or psychomotor training when sending text messages. Currently, there is a unique situation to address this challenge because the amount of RF-EMF emitted when making a call on the UMTS (3rd generation network) is on average 100 to 500 times lower compared to calls carried out on the GSM (2nd generation) network. This results in a low correlation between the actual RF-EMF exposure of the head and the duration of mobile phone use in areas with incomplete UMTS coverage. Therefore, it is feasible to evaluate whether effects are associated with the cumulative RF-EMF exposure or solely with the duration of use. Only the first case would be indicative for a radiation effect. Aims: The aim of this cohort study is to prospectively investigate in adolescents whether exposure to RF-EMF emitted by mobile phones and other wireless communication devices causes behavioural problems, non-specific health disturbances or affects cognitive functions. Methods: A cohort study will be conducted in about 800 adolescents attending schools in the Basel area. The baseline investigation will be conducted with 8th grade students and the follow-up will take place one year later. The cognitive performance will be measured using a standardized computerized cognitive testing system in the computer lab of the schools at baseline and follow-up. Behavioural problems and the occurrence of non-specific symptoms of ill health will be assessed by means of standardized questionnaires targeted to both, the adolescents and their parents. Detailed mobile phone traffic data including the network being used (GSM or UMTS) will be collected from the mobile phone operators for the period of six month previous to the baseline investigation until the end of the follow-up period. Additionally, residential RF-EMF exposure from mobile phone base stations and broadcast transmitters will be assessed using a validated geospatial propagation model and W-LAN measurements in the classrooms will be considered. In a subset of the study participants, personal RF-EMF measurements will be conducted. The data will be analysed with mixed linear models to allow for the clustered data sampling within school classes.Significance: Nowadays, the use of mobile phones is an intrinsic part of the daily life of adolescents. Potential health effects are therefore of high public interest and of relevance for public health since the lifetime exposure of adolescents will be longer than that of present-day adults. The proposed cohort study will overcome major methodological limitations of most previous epidemiological studies that used self-reported exposure data or applied a cross-sectional study design. In particular, the study is suitable to isolate potential radiation effects from other influences that may be associated with the regular use of mobile phones. Thus, it is expected that this cohort study will considerably increase our insight about the impact of mobile phone radiation on adolescents.