EMF Evidence Library
Research library/Brain & nervous system/RF-013
RF-013Original text reviewed

Symptoms associated with measured bedroom fields

Hutter et al. · 2006 · occupational and environmental medicine

The reported finding

Headache prevalence odds were elevated in the highest estimated bedroom base-station category (>0.5 versus <0.1 mW/m2): adjusted estimate 3.06 (95% CI 1.22-7.67). Sleep quality was not significantly associated with measured exposure.

Reading it carefully

Association based on symptom reports and one bedroom measurement visit; temporality, residual confounding and selection remain unresolved. No multiple-testing correction. Table calls these relative risks, but methods use logistic regression; do not interpret as prospective incidence risk.

Inside the study

Exposure conditions
Predominantly 900-MHz GSM base stations; measured 80 MHz-2 GHz spectrum. Maximum base-station exposure estimated from broadcast channels; categories 0.5 mW/m2; maximum estimate 4.1 mW/m2.
Design & controls
Austrian cross-sectional study; 365 adults, 336 with usable household measurements near ten selected base stations. Logistic regression adjusted for age, sex, region, phone use and fear of adverse effects.
Related research & shared cohorts
Measured environmental fields, distinct from handset call-history studies and from controlled provocation.
The protection question raised
Are the reported headaches related to exposure over time, or to factors this cross-sectional design could not resolve? Adjusted symptom associations matter, but a single measurement visit cannot establish a causal threshold.
Source verification
Original published PDF methods, Table 4, discussion and disclosures reviewed
Where to find the result
pp.309-310 methods and Table 4; p.312 acknowledgements and competing interests
Editorial notices
Primary PubMed linked-notice record checked 20 Oct 2026; no correction, concern or retraction linked at check. This is not an exhaustive publisher-history certification.
Funding
Scientific Medical Funds of the Mayor of Vienna; Government of Carinthia.
Conflicts of interest
Authors state none.

Reviews to read alongside

Related syntheses and proposals in the separate review collection. These are topical reading links, not additional independent experiments.

Original publication

Hutter HP, Moshammer H, Wallner P, Kundi M. Subjective symptoms, sleeping problems, and cognitive performance in subjects living near mobile phone base stations. Occupational and Environmental Medicine. 2006;63(5):307-313. doi:10.1136/oem.2005.020784.

Plain-text record