Hans-Peter Hutter

Subjective symptoms, sleeping problems, and cognitive performance in subjects living near mobile phone base stations

Background: The erection of mobile telephone base stations in inhabited areas has raised concerns about possible health effects caused by emitted microwaves. Methods: In a cross-sectional study of randomly selected inhabitants living in urban and rural areas for more than one year near to 10 selected base stations, 365 subjects were investigated. Several cognitive tests were performed, and wellbeing and sleep quality were assessed. Field strength of high-frequency electromagnetic fields (HF-EMF) was measured in the bedrooms of 336 households. Results: Total HF-EMF and exposure related to mobile telecommunication were far below recommended levels (max. 4.1 mW/m2). Distance from antennae was 24–600 m in the rural area and 20–250 m in the urban area. Average power density was slightly higher in the rural area (0.05 mW/m2) than in the urban area (0.02 mW/m2). Despite the influence of confounding variables, including fear of adverse effects from exposure to HF-EMF from the base station, there was a significant relation of some symptoms to measured power density; this was highest for headaches. Perceptual speed increased, while accuracy decreased insignificantly with increasing exposure levels. There was no significant effect on sleep quality. Conclusion: Despite very low exposure to HF-EMF, effects on wellbeing and performance cannot be ruled out, as shown by recently obtained experimental results; however, mechanisms of action at these low levels are unknown.

Single versus dual respiratory virus infections in hospitalized infants : Impact on clinical course of disease and interferon-γ response

Background: Dual respiratory viral infections are frequently associated with lower respiratory tract illness in infants. This study aimed to determine the impact of a dual respiratory viral infection on specific aspects of the infants immune response and the clinical course of illness. Methods: A prospective study was performed with 772 infants hospitalized from October 2000 through July 2004. Sensitive polymerase chain reaction methodology revealed the presence of a single respiratory virus in 443 (57%) of 772 cases, whereas dual infections were identified in 153 (20%) of cases. From 250 infants with confirmed respiratory viral infection, fresh heparinized blood was analyzed for interferon-γ (IFN-γ) responses by flow cytometry. Of these, 191 patients had a single infection with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), rhinoviruses, adenoviruses or influenza viruses; and 59 patients had a dual infection with RSV and rhinoviruses, RSV and adenoviruses, influenza viruses and rhinoviruses or adenoviruses and rhinoviruses. The clinical features and peripheral lymphocyte IFN-γ responses were compared among infants with single or dual infections. Results: It was found that dual infections with non-RSV respiratory viruses induced peripheral blood mononuclear cell IFN-γ responses that mimic those of single infections, whereas coinfection with RSV was associated with reduced IFN-γ responses and a more severe clinical course of lower respiratory tract disease. Conclusions: The results indicate that the clinical characteristics and the IFN-γ response differ significantly in single and dual respiratory viral infection, depending on the nature of the simultaneously detected viruses. In dual infections, RSV involvement was associated with a decreased IFN-γ response in peripheral blood mononuclear cell and an increase in severity of illness.

Low levels of air pollution induce changes of lung function in a panel of schoolchildren

In search of sensitive screening parameters for assessing acute effects of ambient air pollutants in young schoolchildren, the impact of 8-h average air pollution before lung function testing was investigated by oscillatory measurements of resistance and spirometry with flow–volume loops. At a central elementary school in Linz, the capital of Upper Austria, 163 children aged 7–10 yrs underwent repeated examinations at the same time of day during 1 school year, yielding a total of 11–12 lung function tests per child. Associations to mass concentrations of particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) measured continuously at a nearby monitoring station were tested, applying the Generalised Estimating Equations model. Reductions per 10 µg·m−3 (both for particles and for NO2) were in the magnitude of 1% for most lung function parameters. The most sensitive indicator for acute effects of combustion-related pollutants was a change in maximal expiratory flow in small airways. NO2 at concentrations below current standards reduced (in the multipollutant model) the forced expiratory volume in one second by 1.01%, maximal instantaneous forced flow when 50% of the forced vital capacity remains to be exhaled (MEF50%) by 1.99% and MEF25% by 1.96%. Peripheral resistance increased by 1.03% per 10 µg·m−3 of particulate matter with a 50% cut-off aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 μm (PM2.5). Resistance is less influenced by the childs cooperation and should be utilised more often in environmental epidemiology when screening for early signs of small airway dysfunction from urban air pollution, but cannot replace the measurement of MEF50% and MEF25%. In the basic model, the reduction of these parameters per 10 µg·m−3 was highest for NO2, followed by PM1, PM2.5 and PM10, while exposure to coarse dust (PM10–PM2.5) did not change end-expiratory flow significantly. All acute effects of urban air pollution found on the lung function of healthy pupils were evident at levels below current European limit values for nitrogen dioxide. Thus, planned reduction of nitrogen dioxide emission (Euro 5; vehicles that comply with the emission limits as defined in Directive 99/96/EC) of 20% in 2010 would seem to be insufficient.

Synthetic musks in blood of healthy young adults: Relationship to cosmetics use

Production of polycyclic musk compounds is increasing accompanied by a decline in nitro musk production. Although it can be assumed that due to this reduction nitro musks are less prevalent in human body fluids, there are no data available from the last decade. This study examined the concentrations of five nitro musks and six polycyclic musks in blood samples from young healthy volunteers. Blood was taken from 100 healthy students of the Medical University of Vienna. The lipophilic fraction was extracted and after purification analyzed by GC-MS. Study participants also completed a questionnaire on the use of cosmetics, about nutrition and other life-style aspects. Highest percentages of synthetic musks in blood plasma samples were found for galaxolide (91%, median 420 ng L(-1)) and musk xylene (79%, median 11 ng L(-1)). Both musk ketone and tonalide were found in 17%. In two cases musk ambrette was detected. In a multivariate approach only younger age, use of lotion and perfumes did significantly predict blood concentrations of polycyclic musks. For nitro musks except body surface area no significant predictor could be found. High percentage of the population is still exposed to nitro musk compounds although blood concentrations of nitro musks are generally lower than those of polycyclic musks. Compared to earlier investigations performed in the 1990s nitro musks were detected in lower percentages and concentrations. There seems to be no dominant source of nitro musk uptake although relationship to body surface area indicates cosmetic products applied to the skin as the likely origin of plasma concentrations.

Mobile phone base stations-Effects on wellbeing and health.

Studying effects of mobile phone base station signals on health have been discouraged by authoritative bodies like WHO International EMF Project and COST 281. WHO recommended studies around base stations in 2003 but again stated in 2006 that studies on cancer in relation to base station exposure are of low priority. As a result only few investigations of effects of base station exposure on health and wellbeing exist. Cross-sectional investigations of subjective health as a function of distance or measured field strength, despite differences in methods and robustness of study design, found indications for an effect of exposure that is likely independent of concerns and attributions. Experimental studies applying short-term exposure to base station signals gave various results, but there is weak evidence that UMTS and to a lesser degree GSM signals reduce wellbeing in persons that report to be sensitive to such exposures. Two ecological studies of cancer in the vicinity of base stations report both a strong increase of incidence within a radius of 350 and 400m respectively. Due to the limitations inherent in this design no firm conclusions can be drawn, but the results underline the urgent need for a comprehensive investigation of this issue. Animal and in vitro studies are inconclusive to date. An increased incidence of DMBA induced mammary tumors in rats at a SAR of 1.4W/kg in one experiment could not be replicated in a second trial. Indications of oxidative stress after low-level in vivo exposure of rats could not be supported by in vitro studies of human fibroblasts and glioblastoma cells. From available evidence it is impossible to delineate a threshold below which no effect occurs, however, given the fact that studies reporting low exposure were invariably negative it is suggested that power densities around 0.5-1mW/m(2) must be exceeded in order to observe an effect. The meager data base must be extended in the coming years. The difficulties of investigating long-term effects of base station exposure have been exaggerated, considering that base station and handset exposure have almost nothing in common both needs to be studied independently. It cannot be accepted that studying base stations is postponed until there is firm evidence for mobile phones.

The MOBI-Kids study protocol: challenges in assessing childhood and adolescent exposure to electromagnetic fields from wireless telecommunication technologies and possible association with brain tumor risk

The rapid increase in mobile phone use in young people has generated concern about possible health effects of exposure to radiofrequency (RF) and extremely low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic fields (EMF). MOBI-Kids, a multinational case–control study, investigates the potential effects of childhood and adolescent exposure to EMF from mobile communications technologies on brain tumor risk in 14 countries. The study, which aims to include approximately 1,000 brain tumor cases aged 10–24 years and two individually matched controls for each case, follows a common protocol and builds upon the methodological experience of the INTERPHONE study. The design and conduct of a study on EMF exposure and brain tumor risk in young people in a large number of countries is complex and poses methodological challenges. This manuscript discusses the design of MOBI-Kids and describes the challenges and approaches chosen to address them, including: (1) the choice of controls operated for suspected appendicitis, to reduce potential selection bias related to low response rates among population controls; (2) investigating a young study population spanning a relatively wide age range; (3) conducting a large, multinational epidemiological study, while adhering to increasingly stricter ethics requirements; (4) investigating a rare and potentially fatal disease; and (5) assessing exposure to EMF from communication technologies. Our experience in thus far developing and implementing the study protocol indicates that MOBI-Kids is feasible and will generate results that will contribute to the understanding of potential brain tumor risks associated with use of mobile phones and other wireless communications technologies among young people.

Higher blood concentrations of synthetic musks in women above fifty years than in younger women

Synthetic musk compounds are widely used as fragrance ingredients in many consumer products. Little is known about their accumulation in humans and especially in older persons. In this study, we determined concentrations of 11 synthetic musks in women above fifty years and compared the results with earlier results from samples of young females. Blood was taken from 53 women above 50 years of age, visiting outpatients of the Department of Angiology at the Hanusch-Krankenhaus in Vienna, Austria. The used analytical methods consist of an extraction and clean-up step and a chromatographic analysis by GC/MS. Tonalide-D3 was used as recovery standard in all samples. Hexachlorobenzene (13)C(6) was used as internal standard. Study participants also completed a questionnaire on the use of cosmetics, about nutrition and other life-style aspects. The two substances which could be detected in higher percentages of the blood plasma samples were galaxolide (89 percent, maximum concentration 6900 ng/L) and musk xylene (62 percent, maximum concentration 190 ng/L). Regression analysis revealed a significant association of galaxolide concentration with frequent use of perfumes, deodorants and shampoos. Frequent use of soaps and fabric softener was associated with higher plasma concentrations of musk xylene. Nutrition habits, skin type, body mass index or surface area were not related to plasma concentration of these musk compounds. From the study group investigated older persons showed higher plasma concentrations. These findings could be due to the higher use of lotions and crèmes on face and hands and a more frequent use of skin care products because older persons reported more frequently dry skin. In addition, physiological aging related changes might be responsible for higher dermal absorption of synthetic musks. These results indicate that more focus on aging tissues is needed.

Public perception of risk concerning celltowers and mobile phones

SummaryObjective: The controversy about health risks of electromagnetic fields (EMF) has contributed in raising fears concerning emissions from celltowers. The study was to examine whether or not neighbours of celltowers are particularly concerned about adverse health effects of mobile phones and their base stations. Methods: Prior to information delivered by medical doctors of the Institute of Environmental Health at public hearings a questionnaire was handed out to participants asking for their personal rating of several environmental health risks including those of mobile telecommunication (n=123, response rate approx. 48%). Medical students (n=366) served as a contrast group. Results: Participants rated health risk for both, mobile phones and celltowers higher as students. A trend for higher ratings was also seen with older subjects and female sex. The risk ratings of both exposures correlated well with each other. The magnitude of the perceived risks, however, resembled that of other ubiquitous exposures like traffic noise and air pollution. Conclusion: Contrary to the claims of the telecommunication industry, opponents of celltowers generally do not express unusual fears concerning electromagnetic field exposure. The outcome of our study indicates that the risk rating is comparable with other perceived common hazards of the civilised world. It is hypothesised that offering information and participation to the concerned population will be efficient in reducing exaggerated fears.

Early prognosis of noise-induced hearing loss

Objective Occupationally acquired noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is the most prevalent occupational disease in Austria and among the most common in many other countries. Because of the wide variation in hearing loss after equivalent exposures it has long been assumed that some individuals are more vulnerable to occupational NIHL than others. Earlier attempts to define predictors of NIHL before starting occupational noise exposure have largely failed. We present results of a prospective study evaluating the potential of temporary threshold shift (TTS) after a test exposure to predict NIHL. Methods Between 1982 and 1989, overall 311 apprentices were included into a prospective study during their initial health screening visit. At this occasion, a standardised noise exposure was applied (20 min, 200–500 Hz, 100 dBA) and the TTS at 4 kHz was determined during at least 10 min after exposure. Hearing loss was monitored at follow-up visits every 3–5 years. Follow-up was 13 years on average. Results Permanent threshold shift was predicted by duration of noise exposure, frequency of wearing noise protectors and especially by the initial TTS at 4 kHz. Using 14 dB TTS as a cut-off had 82% sensitivity and 53% specificity to predict 20 dB or higher levels of NIHL. Conclusions The TTS model can be successfully applied as a method to detect individuals at greater risk of occupational NIHL. It is recommended to routinely include such a procedure into initial workers’ examinations for suitability to work under occupational noise conditions and for counselling on the use of hearing protectors.

Tinnitus and mobile phone use

Objectives The mechanisms that produce tinnitus are not fully understood. While tinnitus can be associated with diseases and disorders of the ear, retrocochlear diseases and vascular pathologies, there are few known risk factors for tinnitus apart from these conditions. There is anecdotal evidence of an link between mobile phone use and tinnitus, but so far there have been no systematic investigations into this possible association. Methods 100 consecutive patients presenting with tinnitus were enrolled in an individually matched case–control study. For each case a control subject was randomly selected from visiting outpatients matched for sex and age. The patients history was obtained and clinical examinations were conducted to exclude patients with known underlying causes of tinnitus. Mobile phone use was assessed based on the Interphone Study protocol. ORs were computed by conditional logistic regression with years of education and living in an urban area as covariates. Results Mobile phone use up to the index date (onset of tinnitus) on the same side as the tinnitus did not have significantly elevated ORs for regular use and intensity or for cumulative hours of use. The risk estimate was significantly elevated for prolonged use (≥4 years) of a mobile phone (OR 1.95; CI 1.00 to 3.80). Conclusions Mobile phone use should be included in future investigations as a potential risk factor for developing tinnitus.