Do TETRA (Airwave) Base Station Signals Have a Short-Term Impact on Health and Well-Being?
Background: ‘Airwave’ is the new communication system currently being rolled out across the UK for the police and emergency services. Some police officers have complained about skin rashes, nausea, headaches and depression as a consequence of using their Airwave handsets. In addition, a small sub-group in the population self-report being sensitive to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) in general. Objectives: A randomized double-blind provocation study was conducted to establish whether short-term exposure to a Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA) base station signal has an impact on health and well-being in individuals with self-reported ‘electrosensitivity’ and controls. Methods: 51 individuals with self-reported ‘electrosensitivity’ and 132 age- and gender-matched controls participated in an open provocation test, while 48 sensitive and 132 control participants went on to complete double-blind tests in a fully screened semi-anechoic chamber. Heart rate, skin conductance and blood pressure re
