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Radiofrequency electromagnetic fields, screen time, and emotional and behavioural problems in 5-year-old children
- Source :
- International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, 222(2), 188-194. Urban und Fischer Verlag Jena, International journal of hygiene and environmental health, 222(2), 188-194. Urban und Fischer Verlag Jena, International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, 222(add e), 188. Urban und Fischer Verlag Jena
- Publication Year :
- 2019
- Publisher :
- Urban und Fischer Verlag Jena, 2019.
-
Abstract
- BACKGROUND: Little is known about the exposure of young children to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) and potentially associated health effects. We assessed the relationship of RF-EMF exposure from different sources and screen time exposure with emotional and behavioural problems in 5-year-old children. METHODS: Cross-sectional study including 3102 children aged 5 years from the Amsterdam Born Children and their Development (ABCD) study, in the Netherlands. Residential RF-EMF exposure from mobile phone base stations was estimated with a 3D geospatial radio wave propagation model. Residential presence of RF-EMF indoor sources (cordless phone base stations and Wireless Fidelity (WiFi)), children's mobile phone and cordless phone calls and screen time exposure (computer/video game and television watching) was reported by the mother. Teachers (n = 2617) and mothers (n = 3019) independently reported child emotional and behavioural problems using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. RESULTS: No associations were found between mobile phone and cordless phone calls and emotional and behavioural problems. Children exposed to higher RF-EMF levels from mobile phone base stations showed higher odds of maternal-reported emotional symptoms (OR 1.82, 95%CI 1.07 to 3.09). Children with cordless phone at home had lower odds of teacher-reported problematic prosocial behaviour (OR 0.68, 95%CI 0.48 to 0.97) and of maternal-reported peer relationship problems (OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.39 to 0.96). Children who watched television ≥1.5 h/day had higher odds of maternal-reported hyperactivity/inattention (OR 3.13, 95%CI 1.43 to 6.82). CONCLUSION: Mobile phone and cordless phone calls, which lead to peak RF-EMF exposures to the head, were not associated with any emotional and behavioural problems in 5-year-old children. Environmental RF-EMF exposure from mobile phone base stations and from indoor sources and television watching, which both contribute very little to RF-EMF exposure, were associated with specific emotional and behavioural problems but mainly when reported by the mothers. We cannot, however, discard residual confounding or reverse causality. Further longitudinal research in particular as children will increase the use of telecommunication devices with the age may help to better understand the exact contribution of the different RF-EMF exposure sources if any. Moreover, a thorough control for confounding is essential for a correct interpretation of the studies on screen time and emotional and behavioural problems.
- Subjects :
- Male
media_common.quotation_subject
Emotions
Fidelity
010501 environmental sciences
01 natural sciences
Odds
Developmental psychology
Screen Time
03 medical and health sciences
Screen time
Electromagnetic Fields
0302 clinical medicine
Humans
Wireless
030212 general & internal medicine
Video game
Netherlands
0105 earth and related environmental sciences
media_common
Problem Behavior
business.industry
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire
Prosocial behavior
Mobile phone
Child, Preschool
Female
Psychology
business
Cell Phone
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 14384639
- Volume :
- 222
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....b43d686b4427715ec2e11e0fe2cf0a3f