Symptoms experienced in connection with mobile phone use

Many people in Norway and Sweden reported headaches, fatigue, and other sym ptoms experienced in connection with the use of a mobile phone (MP). Theref ore, we initiated a cross-sectional epidemiological study among 17,000 peop le, all using an MP in their job. Thirty-one percent of the respondents in Norway and 13% of those in Sweden had experienced at least one symptom in c onnection with MP use. Next to the sensations of warmth on the ear and behi nd/around the ear, burning sensations in the facial skin and headaches were most commonly reported. Most symptoms usually began during or within half an hour after the call and lasted for up to 2 h. Relatively few had consult ed a physician or been on sick leave because of the symptoms, but about 45% among those with an MP attributed symptom had taken steps to reduce the sy mptom. These results suggest an awareness of the symptoms, but not necessar ily a serious health problem.