Electromagnetic Fields as a Health Risk Factor

Abstract

This study is a collection of findings of published articles from the Department of Medical Biophysics and Department of Public Health at the Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University Bratislava (JFM CU) with the topic on epidemiology of electromagnetic fields. During 14 years, 13 principal publications were created, of which 11 studies deal with radio frequency signals from mobile phones (mainly GSM900 and GSM1800 standard); one study describes the construction of a new exposure system and the other deals with the effects of low frequency electromagnetic fields. The results showed that the electromagnetic fields can affect heart rate variability both in humans and animals; increasing the activity of the parasympathetic or sympathetic nerve systems depending on place of body exposure (head or thorax, respectively); may cause disorders of heart rhythm; loss of concentration; headaches; and/or burning sensations in the ear area. Parameters of exposition were compared with the values issued by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). They had not exceeded the permitted limits. However, compared to data of the Bio Initiative Report, in some cases, our measured values exceeded their limits.