Evaluation of Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields from Smart Utility Meters operating at

{
  "study_type": "exposure_assessment",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "smart meter",
    "frequency_mhz": 868,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "6-min averaged exposure"
  },
  "population": null,
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Power density",
    "Duty factor",
    "6-min averaged exposure (power density) relative to ICNIRP 1998 general public reference level",
    "Comparison of exposure contribution vs Zigbee devices operating at 2.4 GHz"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Under laboratory-controlled conditions, the maximum 6-min averaged power density measured around smart utility meters operating at 868 MHz was 0.1 mWm-2, reported as <0.0024% of the corresponding 1998 ICNIRP general public reference level. Measured duty factors were <2.8%. The study reports that exposure contribution from Zigbee smart meter devices at 868 MHz is generally lower than, if not similar to, those operating at 2.4 GHz.",
  "effect_direction": "no_effect",
  "limitations": [
    "Measurements were conducted under laboratory-controlled conditions (may not reflect real-world use/exposure).",
    "No population/health outcomes were assessed; exposure metrics only.",
    "Sample size and measurement protocol details are not provided in the abstract."
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "smart utility meters",
    "smart meters",
    "Zigbee",
    "868 MHz",
    "2.4 GHz",
    "radiofrequency",
    "RF-EMF",
    "power density",
    "duty factor",
    "ICNIRP 1998",
    "general public reference level",
    "laboratory-controlled measurements"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "smart-meters",
      "weight": 0.95,
      "reason": "Directly evaluates RF exposure from smart utility meters (Zigbee) at 868 MHz."
    },
    {
      "slug": "who-icnirp",
      "weight": 0.6,
      "reason": "Compares measured exposure to ICNIRP 1998 general public reference level."
    }
  ]
}