Effect of radiofrequency radiation from mobile base station on neurobehavioral performance among primary school children in Selangor

Mohd Noor, Shariza Afini (2018) Effect of radiofrequency radiation from mobile base station on neurobehavioral performance among primary school children in Selangor. [Project Paper] (Submitted)

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Abstract

Introduction : The increase of mobile phone usage and demands has increased the mobile base station as the cellular phones' network carrier. Even though there is growth concern about the health risks that may be caused by living nearby a mobile base station, the effects of radiofrequency (RF) radiation emission from this mobile base station is still highly uncertain and controversial. Objective: The aim of this study is to examine the radiofrequency radiation level at selected schools in Selangor and evaluate its relationship with the neurobehavioral performance among the primary school children. Method: A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted at four selected schools in Selangor among primary school children aged 10-11 years old. A total of 201 respondents were participated in this study by using random sampling method. A set of questionnaire items were filled up by parents to obtain the background of socio-demographic, household sources of non-ionizing radiation and health related symptoms of their children. A RF analyzer was used to measure the radiofrequency (RF) radiation from the mobile base station of selected schools (Model HF35C). The WHO Neurobehavioral Core Test Battery (NCTB) which included seven (7) sub-tests were used to measure the children's neurobehavioral performance. Result: The measurement of RF radiation emitted from the mobile base station antennas at selected schools were less than the permissible standard level by Federal Communication Commission (FCC) and International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). The NCTB result indicated that the exposed group has a significantly difference than non-exposed group in one of the tests of manual dexterity which was Santa Ana Manual Dexterity Dominant and Non Dominant Hand (p=0.003). There was also significant relationship between radiofrequency radiation and Persuit Aiming Test (r-=0.218) and Santa Ana Manual Dexterity for Non-Dominant Hand (r-= -0.205) among exposed group. Conclusion: The fluctuations of RF levels depend on its fixed point of installation, and the surrounding environmental settings. Even though only single source of RF radiation emitted from the mobile base station has taken into account in this study, result shows that RF radiation has significantly influenced the impairment of motor steadiness and coordination among the respondents. It is recommended to consider other sources of non-ionizing radiations and contributing factors that might affect the neurological systems and its performance to better estimation of the potential health effects in the future. Keywords: mobile base station, radiofrequency, neurobehavioral performance, primary school children

Item Type:	Project Paper
Faculty:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Science
Depositing User:	Ms Norafizah Radzuan
Date Deposited:	26 Jun 2025 00:08
Last Modified:	26 Jun 2025 00:08
URI:	http://psaspb.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/2430

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