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Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Field in the High-Frequency Band and Cognitive Function in Children and Adolescents: A Literature Review

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  • Toru Ishihara

    (Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan
    Graduate School of Human Development and Environment, Kobe University, Kobe 657-8501, Japan)

  • Keiko Yamazaki

    (Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan)

  • Atsuko Araki

    (Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan)

  • Yuri Teraoka

    (Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan)

  • Naomi Tamura

    (Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan)

  • Takashi Hikage

    (Faculty of Information Science and Technology, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0814, Japan)

  • Manabu Omiya

    (Information Initiative Center, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0811, Japan)

  • Masahiro Mizuta

    (Information Initiative Center, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0811, Japan)

  • Reiko Kishi

    (Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan)

Abstract

With increasing use of mobile phones, exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) in the high-frequency band associated with mobile phones has become a public concern, with potentially adverse effects on cognitive function in children and adolescents. However, findings regarding the relation of RF-EMF and cognitive function in children and adolescents have been inconsistent due to a number of study design-related factors, such as types of exposure and outcome measures, age of participants, and the era of study conduction. The present literature review focused on these possible factors that could explain this inconsistency. This review identified 12 eligible studies (participants ages 4 to 17 years) and extracted a total 477 relations. In total, 86% of the extracted relations were not statistically significant; in the remaining 14%, a negative relation between RF-EMF and cognitive performance was detected under limited conditions: when (1) RF-EMF was assessed using objective measurement not subjective measurement (i.e., questionnaire), (2) participants were relatively older (12 years and above) and had greater opportunity of exposure to RF-EMF, and (3) the collection of cognitive function data was conducted after 2012. Given that 86% of the extracted relations in this analysis were not statistically significant, the interpretation should be approached with caution due to the possibility of the 14% of significant relationships, extracted in this review, representing chance findings.

Suggested Citation

  • Toru Ishihara & Keiko Yamazaki & Atsuko Araki & Yuri Teraoka & Naomi Tamura & Takashi Hikage & Manabu Omiya & Masahiro Mizuta & Reiko Kishi, 2020. "Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Field in the High-Frequency Band and Cognitive Function in Children and Adolescents: A Literature Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-19, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:24:p:9179-:d:458876
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Christopher Brzozek & Kurt K. Benke & Berihun M. Zeleke & Rodney J. Croft & Anna Dalecki & Christina Dimitriadis & Jordy Kaufman & Malcolm R. Sim & Michael J. Abramson & Geza Benke, 2019. "Uncertainty Analysis of Mobile Phone Use and Its Effect on Cognitive Function: The Application of Monte Carlo Simulation in a Cohort of Australian Primary School Children," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-10, July.
    2. Katharina Roser & Anna Schoeni & Alfred Bürgi & Martin Röösli, 2015. "Development of an RF-EMF Exposure Surrogate for Epidemiologic Research," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-23, May.
    3. David Moher & Alessandro Liberati & Jennifer Tetzlaff & Douglas G Altman & The PRISMA Group, 2009. "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: The PRISMA Statement," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 6(7), pages 1-6, July.
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    1. Sonia Spandole-Dinu & Ana-Maria Catrina & Oana Cristina Voinea & Alina Andone & Speranța Radu & Cerasela Haidoiu & Octavian Călborean & Diana Mihaela Popescu & Vladimir Suhăianu & Octavian Baltag & Le, 2023. "Pilot Study of the Long-Term Effects of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Radiation Exposure on the Mouse Brain," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-18, February.

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