Assessment of acute changes in cognitive performance in healthy adults exposed to TETRA handsets.
The study aims to investigate the potential relevance of radio-frequency radiation from TETRA handsets to general cerebral functions and to discover any health problems of short-time radiation exposure. It is also investigated whether the subjects' reaction correlates with any particular mental characteristics. The TETRA technology has been developed specifically to meet the needs of modern and secure radio communication with emergency services (such as police, fire brigade, ambulance service, health system and public works/utilities).
The investigation will be conducted as an experimental study involving 55 adults who are exposed to no radiation and to radiation from a TETRA handset. These exposures may reveal whether the TETRA signal has any effect. Preferably, the voluntary subjects should be potential users of the TETRA system. Accordingly, attempts will be made to recruit the subjects among Danish emergency service staff. The study will be conducted so as to even out learning effects and day-to-day variations. It is a double-blind study including temperature, humidity, air exchange and air pollution control.
The voluntary subjects, whose participation is governed by the rules of the Declaration of Helsinki, are exposed to radiation levels corresponding to what they may be exposed to in their work with the TETRA system. Minimum (zero) radiation is achieved in an RF shielded existing test chamber. The persons are exposed to each radiation level for 45 minutes, followed by an intermission. During exposure, the symptoms perceived by the subjects are measured as are also their responses to several tests designed to reflect any effects on brain functions.
Various factors of potential relevance to response are measured before the test and are subsequently related to any response to the effects in connection with the statistical analysis.
The results will be reported in international scientific journals and Danish and international media.
