Mònica Guxens1, Roel Vermeulen2, Manon van Eijsden3, Johan Beekhuizen4, Tanja G M Vrijkotte5, Rob T van Strien6, Hans Kromhout7, Anke Huss8. 1. Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Division of Environmental Epidemiology, Utrecht University, PO Box 80178, 3508 TD Utrecht, The Netherlands; Center for Research in Environmental Epidemiology, C/ Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; Pompeu Fabra University, C/ Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Avenue de Monforte de Lemos, 5, 28029 Madrid, Spain; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus University Medical Centre-Sophia Children's Hospital, PO Box 2060, 3000 CB Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Electronic address: mguxens@creal.cat. 2. Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Division of Environmental Epidemiology, Utrecht University, PO Box 80178, 3508 TD Utrecht, The Netherlands; Julius Centre for Public Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Centre, PO Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands. Electronic address: r.c.h.vermeulen@uu.nl. 3. Department of Epidemiology and Health Promotion, Public Health Service of Amsterdam (GGD), PO Box 2200, 1000 CE Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Electronic address: MvEijsden@ggd.amsterdam.nl. 4. Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Division of Environmental Epidemiology, Utrecht University, PO Box 80178, 3508 TD Utrecht, The Netherlands. Electronic address: beekhuizenjohan@gmail.com. 5. Department of Public Health, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meidergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Electronic address: t.vrijkotte@amc.uva.nl. 6. Department of Environmental Health, Public Health Service of Amsterdam (GGD), PO Box 2200, 1000 CE Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Electronic address: rvstrien@ggd.amsterdam.nl. 7. Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Division of Environmental Epidemiology, Utrecht University, PO Box 80178, 3508 TD Utrecht, The Netherlands. Electronic address: h.kromhout@uu.nl. 8. Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Division of Environmental Epidemiology, Utrecht University, PO Box 80178, 3508 TD Utrecht, The Netherlands; Institute for Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Finkenhubelweg 9, 3012 Bern, Switzerland. Electronic address: a.huss@uu.nl.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Little is known about the exposure of young children to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) and potentially associated health effects. We assessed the relationship between residential RF-EMF exposure from mobile phone base stations, residential presence of indoor sources, personal cell phone and cordless phone use, and children's cognitive function at 5-6 years of age. METHODS: Cross-sectional study on children aged 5-6 years from the Amsterdam Born Children and their Development (ABCD) study, the Netherlands (n=2354). Residential RF-EMF exposure from mobile phone base stations was estimated with a 3D geospatial radio wave propagation model. Residential presence of indoor sources (cordless phone base stations and Wi-Fi) and children's cell phone and cordless phone use was reported by the mother. Speed of information processing, inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility, and visuomotor coordination was assessed using the Amsterdam Neuropsychological Tasks. RESULTS: Residential presence of RF-EMF indoor sources was associated with an improved speed of information processing. Higher residential RF-EMF exposure from mobile phone base stations and presence of indoor sources was associated with an improved inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility whereas we observed a reduced inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility with higher personal cordless phone use. Higher residential RF-EMF exposure from mobile phone base stations was associated with a reduced visuomotor coordination whereas we observed an improved visuomotor coordination with residential presence of RF-EMF indoor sources and higher personal cell phone use. CONCLUSIONS: We found inconsistent associations between different sources of RF-EMF exposure and cognitive function in children aged 5-6 years.
BACKGROUND: Little is known about the exposure of young children to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) and potentially associated health effects. We assessed the relationship between residential RF-EMF exposure from mobile phone base stations, residential presence of indoor sources, personal cell phone and cordless phone use, and children's cognitive function at 5-6 years of age. METHODS: Cross-sectional study on children aged 5-6 years from the Amsterdam Born Children and their Development (ABCD) study, the Netherlands (n=2354). Residential RF-EMF exposure from mobile phone base stations was estimated with a 3D geospatial radio wave propagation model. Residential presence of indoor sources (cordless phone base stations and Wi-Fi) and children's cell phone and cordless phone use was reported by the mother. Speed of information processing, inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility, and visuomotor coordination was assessed using the Amsterdam Neuropsychological Tasks. RESULTS: Residential presence of RF-EMF indoor sources was associated with an improved speed of information processing. Higher residential RF-EMF exposure from mobile phone base stations and presence of indoor sources was associated with an improved inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility whereas we observed a reduced inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility with higher personal cordless phone use. Higher residential RF-EMF exposure from mobile phone base stations was associated with a reduced visuomotor coordination whereas we observed an improved visuomotor coordination with residential presence of RF-EMF indoor sources and higher personal cell phone use. CONCLUSIONS: We found inconsistent associations between different sources of RF-EMF exposure and cognitive function in children aged 5-6 years.
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