TNO study on the effects of GSM and UMTS signals on well-being and cognition

In September 2003, TNO published the results of a study into the effects of controlled human exposure to GSM and UMTS-like electromagnetic fields on well-being and cognitive functions (the COFAM -study). Two groups of test subjects were studied. Group A consisted of individuals with health problems that they attributed to exposure to electromagnetic fields, usually from GSM base-station antennas. Group B consisted of individuals who had no such symptoms. Based on the study results, the TNO researchers concluded that the UMTS-like signal had an adverse effect on well-being in both groups.
In the present report, the Electromagnetic Fields Committee of the Health Council of the Netherlands gives its opinion on the scientific quality of the TNO study, at the request of the Minister of Public Health, Welfare and Sport. The Committee also makes proposals for replication and follow-up studies, in addition to answering questions on the definition of ‘well-being’ and on the consequences of a possible reduction in well-being.

Committee

• Prof. EW Roubos, Professor of Zoology, neurobiologist; Nijmegen University, Chairman
• Dr LM van Aernsbergen, physicist; Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment, The Hague, consultant
• Prof. G Brussaard, Emeritus Professor of Radio Communication; Eindhoven University of Technology
• Dr J Havenaar, psychiatrist; ‘Altrecht’ Mental Health Care Foundation, Utrecht
• FBJ Koops, biologist; Arnhem
• Prof. FE van Leeuwen, Professor of Cancer Epidemiology; Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam/epidemiologist; The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam
• Dr HK Leonhard, physicist; Ministry of Economic Affairs, Groningen, consultant
• Dr GC van Rhoon, physicist; Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam
• Dr MM Sitskoorn, psychologist; University Medical Centre, Utrecht
• Dr GMH Swaen, epidemiologist; University of Maastricht
• DHJ van de Weerdt, physician, Specialist in Environmental Medicine; Zwolle Municipal Medical and Health Service
• Prof. APM Zwamborn, Professor of Electromagnetic Effects; Eindhoven University of Technology/physicist; TNO, The Hague, consultant
• Dr E van Rongen, radiobiologist; Health Council, The Hague, secretary