Does chronic exposure to radiofrequency radiations from GSM base stations have health effects?

Abstract

There is a general concern about the possible adverse health effect of Radio-frequency radiation (RFR) from mobile phone base stations (BS), due to the increase in the siting of these base stations close to residential houses, schools, etc. This study was conducted on randomly selected individuals (n = 61), mostly staying close to a base station for not less than 6months, using 6 selected base stations. The study included a self-administered questionnaire with measurement of RFR level from the sampled base stations, clinical examination and haematological analysis. The level of RFR emitted from the sampled base station was found to be much lower than the ICNIRP limits. The prevalence of symptoms was high for exhaustion/tiredness (62.3%), headache (54.1%), sleep disturbance & blurred vision (32.8%), while the result for both the clinical measurements (Blood Pressure & Pulse Rate) and haematological analysis were essentially within normal limits, except for the lymphocyte percentage which was slightly elevated. Although the study found no statistical significant relationship between RFR exposure and adverse health effect, the need for long term investigations of possible health impacts of non ionizing radiation associated with GSM base stations was recommended