What is the radiation before 5G? A correlation study between measurements in situ and in real time and epidemiological indicators in Vallecas, Madrid

Lόpez, Isabel; Félix, Nazario; Rivera, Marco; Alonso, Adrián; Maestú, Ceferino

Abstract

Background
Exposure of the general population to electromagnetic radiation emitted by mobile phone base stations is one of the greater concerns of residents affected by the proximity of these structures due to the possible relationship between radiated levels and health indicators.

Objectives
This study aimed to find a possible relationship between some health indicators and electromagnetic radiation measurements.

Methods
A total of 268 surveys, own design, were completed by residents of a Madrid neighborhood surrounded by nine telephone antennas, and 105 measurements of electromagnetic radiation were taken with a spectrum analyzer and an isotropic antenna, in situ and in real – time, both outside and inside the houses.

Results
It was shown statistically significant p - values in headaches presence (p = 0.010), nightmares (p = 0.001), headache intensity (p < 0.001), dizziness frequency (p = 0.011), instability episodes frequency (p = 0.026), number of hours that one person sleeps per day (p < 0.001) and three of nine parameters studied from tiredness. Concerning cancer, there are 5.6% of cancer cases in the study population, a percentage 10 times higher than that of the total Spanish population. Discussion: People who are exposed to higher radiation values present more severe headaches, dizziness and nightmares. Moreover, they sleep fewer hours.

Citation

Lόpez, I., Félix, N., Rivera, M., Alonso, A., & Maestú, C. (2021). What is the radiation before 5G? A correlation study between measurements in situ and in real time and epidemiological indicators in Vallecas, Madrid. Environmental Research, 194, Article 110734. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2021.110734

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 6, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Jan 9, 2021
• Publication Date: 2021-01
• Deposit Date: Jan 8, 2025
• Journal: Environmental Research
• Print ISSN: 0013-9351
• Electronic ISSN: 1096-0953
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 194
• Article Number: 110734
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2021.110734
• Keywords: Electromagnetic radiation exposure, Mobile phone base stations, Personal exposure measurement, Radiofrequency electromagnetic field, Spectrum analyzer
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/35716694
• Publisher URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0013935121000281?via%3Dihub
• Additional Information: This article is maintained by: Elsevier; Article Title: What is the radiation before 5G? A correlation study between measurements in situ and in real time and epidemiological indicators in Vallecas, Madrid; Journal Title: Environmental Research; CrossRef DOI link to publisher maintained version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2021.110734; Content Type: article; Copyright: © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.