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Uncertainty Analysis of Mobile Phone Use and Its Effect on Cognitive Function: The Application of Monte Carlo Simulation in a Cohort of Australian Primary School Children

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  • Christopher Brzozek

    (Centre for Population Health Research on Electromagnetic Energy (PRESEE), School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia)

  • Kurt K. Benke

    (School of Engineering, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
    AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia)

  • Berihun M. Zeleke

    (Centre for Population Health Research on Electromagnetic Energy (PRESEE), School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia)

  • Rodney J. Croft

    (Centre for Population Health Research on Electromagnetic Energy (PRESEE), School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
    Australian Centre for Electromagnetic Bioeffects Research (ACEBR), Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia)

  • Anna Dalecki

    (Australian Centre for Electromagnetic Bioeffects Research (ACEBR), Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia)

  • Christina Dimitriadis

    (Centre for Population Health Research on Electromagnetic Energy (PRESEE), School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia)

  • Jordy Kaufman

    (School of Health Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC 3122, Australia)

  • Malcolm R. Sim

    (Centre for Population Health Research on Electromagnetic Energy (PRESEE), School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia)

  • Michael J. Abramson

    (Centre for Population Health Research on Electromagnetic Energy (PRESEE), School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia)

  • Geza Benke

    (Centre for Population Health Research on Electromagnetic Energy (PRESEE), School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia)

Abstract

Previous epidemiological studies on health effects of radiation exposure from mobile phones have produced inconsistent results. This may be due to experimental difficulties and various sources of uncertainty, such as statistical variability, measurement errors, and model uncertainty. An analytical technique known as the Monte Carlo simulation provides an additional approach to analysis by addressing uncertainty in model inputs using error probability distributions, rather than point-source data. The aim of this investigation was to demonstrate using Monte Carlo simulation of data from the ExPOSURE (Examination of Psychological Outcomes in Students using Radiofrequency dEvices) study to quantify uncertainty in the output of the model. Data were collected twice, approximately one year apart (between 2011 and 2013) for 412 primary school participants in Australia. Monte Carlo simulation was used to estimate output uncertainty in the model due to uncertainties in the call exposure data. Multiple linear regression models evaluated associations between mobile phone calls with cognitive function and found weak evidence of an association. Similar to previous longitudinal analysis, associations were found for the Go/No Go and Groton maze learning tasks, and a Stroop time ratio. However, with the introduction of uncertainty analysis, the results were closer to the null hypothesis.

Suggested Citation

  • Christopher Brzozek & Kurt K. Benke & Berihun M. Zeleke & Rodney J. Croft & Anna Dalecki & Christina Dimitriadis & Jordy Kaufman & Malcolm R. Sim & Michael J. Abramson & Geza Benke, 2019. "Uncertainty Analysis of Mobile Phone Use and Its Effect on Cognitive Function: The Application of Monte Carlo Simulation in a Cohort of Australian Primary School Children," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-10, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:13:p:2428-:d:246673
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Christopher Brzozek & Kurt K. Benke & Berihun M. Zeleke & Michael J. Abramson & Geza Benke, 2018. "Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Radiation and Memory Performance: Sources of Uncertainty in Epidemiological Cohort Studies," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-19, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Toru Ishihara & Keiko Yamazaki & Atsuko Araki & Yuri Teraoka & Naomi Tamura & Takashi Hikage & Manabu Omiya & Masahiro Mizuta & Reiko Kishi, 2020. "Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Field in the High-Frequency Band and Cognitive Function in Children and Adolescents: A Literature Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-19, December.

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