BSI Research Units

Human Electromagnetic Energy Bioeffects Research (HEEBR) Research Unit

Unit Leader: Professor Rodney Croft

Introduction:

Due to the strong public concern about possible adverse effects of mobile phones on humans, the Australian Centre for Radio-Frequency Bioeffects Research (ACRBR) was formed as part of an NH&MRC Strategic Initiative. This lab forms the Human Neurophysiology node of that Centre of Research Excellence, and is run by Professor Croft, who is also the Executive Director of the .

The research of the HEEBR laboratory is aimed at determining whether mobile phone emissions affect human neurophysiological function, and whether any such effects are harmful. Methods in the lab vary depending on the specific questions being asked, but all employ double-blind sham-controlled cross-over designs, and all employ rigorous dosimetry control.

Past and current projects include the determination of whether second (2G) and third (3G) generation mobile phones affect mood, cognitive performance, neurophysiological responses to sensory stimuli, neurophysiological indices of higher order cognitive processing, and autonomic indices of cognitive load, in children, healthy young adults, the elderly, and self-reported EME hypersensitives.

Key Members:

Name: Professor Rodney Croft
Role in Unit: Leader

Name: Ms Sarah Loughran
Role in Unit: Postdoctoral Fellow

Name: Ms Sumie Leung
Role in Unit: Research Assistant

Name: Mr Barry O'Neil
Role in Unit: Research Assistant.

Name: Ms Vanessa Cropley
Role in Unit: Research Assistant

Current Research Projects:

The role of GSM900 mobile phone exposure on human neural function

The role of 3G mobile phone exposure on human neural function

The effect of mobile phone exposure on children and elderly

Self-reported EME hypersensitivity: A provocation study and exploration of mechanisms

Validation of reported mobile phone induced changes in sleep EEG

Mobile phones and driving: A comparison of the effects of mobile phone conversations and alcohol on driving

SAR vs power flux density as the basic restriction
between 1 - 10 GHz

A survey of RF devices in Melbourne homes

Grants received:

Croft RJ, McKenzie R, Anderson V, McIntosh R, Iskra S. “Australian Centre for Radio Frequency Bioeffects Research (ACRBR) Dosimetry, Standards and Protocols Research Program”. Mobile Manufacturers Forum, Geneva (2005-6): $255K.

Cosic, Abramson, Croft, Finnie, McKenzie, Wood. “Australian Centre for Radiofrequency Bioeffects Research”. NHMRC Strategic Research Development Grant (2004-2008): $2.5M

GSM Association (UK): “Examining the effect of 3G mobile phones on human function” (CIs: Croft RJ, McKenzie RM). 2006: $144000.

Work with Community and Affiliates:

This research grouping forms the human neurophysiology arm of the Australian Centre for RF Bioeffects Research (ACRBR). http://www.acrbr.org.au/home.htm

It actively participates in research and community debate centred around the debate over the possibility that health effects result from mobile phone exposures.

This includes representation on national communication bodies (EME Reference Group), collaboration with World Health Organisation, media commentary, and public interaction.

Key Publications:

Hamblin DL, Anderson V, McIntosh RL, McKenzie RJ, Wood AW, Croft RJ. EEG Electrode Caps Can Reduce SAR Induced in the Head by GSM900 Mobile Phones. IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering (in press).

The sensitivity of human event-related potentials and reaction time to mobile phone emitted electromagnetic fields. Bioelectromagnetics (2006) 27(4):265-73.

Loughran SP, Wood AW, Barton JJ, Croft RJ, Thompson B, Stough C. GSM Mobile Phones Alter Human Sleep Architecture. Neuroreport (2005) 16(17):1973-6.

Hamblin DL, Wood AW, Croft, RJ, Stough C. Examining the Effects of Electromagnetic Fields Emitted by GSM Mobile Phones on Human Event-Related Potentials and Performance Clin Neurophys (2004) 115:171-178.

Croft RJ, Chandler JS, Burgess A, Barry RJ, Williams JD, Clarke AR. Acute Mobile Phone Operation Affects Neural Function in Humans. Clin Neurophysiol (2002) 113(10):1623.

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