Extremely low frequency magnetic fields emitted by cell phones

2023 · Unclear · Insufficient evidence

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UnclearInsufficient evidencePaper 539

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2023

Study typeexposure_assessment

Reported directionUnclear

Evidence ratingInsufficient

Abstract

Extremely low frequency magnetic fields emitted by cell phones Misek J, Jakus J, Hamza Sladicekova K, Zastko L, Veternik M, Jakusova V, Belyaev I. Extremely low frequency magnetic fields emitted by cell phones. Front. Phys. Volume 11, 2023. doi: 10.3389/fphy.2023.1094921 Cell phones expose significant parts of the human brain and head to extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields (MF) classified by the IARC as a 2B carcinogen. ELF MF was measured on the front and back sides of 15 cell phones in standby, speaking, and listening modes for 2G and 3G standards in two frequency bands, LF1: 5 Hz– 200 Hz and LF2: 120 Hz—10 kHz. The highest MF value was 70.03 µT (RMS) in LF1 (2G, listening mode, front side) and 12.67 µT (RMS) in LF2 (2G, speaking mode, front side). The 3G cell phones consistently emitted a lower ELF MF compared to the 2G ones. The exposure to ELF MF was also simulated at various locations (head, thorax, pelvis) using the CST Studio Suite. The simulations revealed 8.45 µT, 7.5 µT, and 6.09 µT in the middle of the head (midbrain), 3.89 µT, 3.98 µT, and 2.83 µT for the middle of the thorax (heart), and 2.03 µT, 1.96 µT, and 1.56 µT in the middle of the pelvis (scrotum) for 10 Hz, 50 Hz, and 200 Hz, respectively. These values are comparable to those reported to induce biological and health effects, including those related to carcinogenesis. The results can be used in future studies concerning the ELF exposure or the combined effects of electromagnetic fields of radiofrequency and ELF. Open access paper: frontiersin.org

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeexposure_assessment

Effect directionunclear

PopulationNot supplied

Sample size15

ExposureELF

Evidence strengthInsufficientConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

ELF magnetic fields were measured on the front and back sides of 15 cell phones; the highest reported values were 70.03 µT (RMS) in LF1 (2G, listening mode, front side) and 12.67 µT (RMS) in LF2 (2G, speaking mode, front side). 3G phones consistently emitted lower ELF magnetic fields than 2G phones. Simulations reported midbrain values of 8.45/7.5/6.09 µT, heart values of 3.89/3.98/2.83 µT, and scrotum values of 2.03/1.96/1.56 µT at 10/50/200 Hz, respectively; the abstract states these are comparable to values reported to induce biological and health effects.

Outcomes measured

Measured ELF magnetic field levels (RMS) from cell phones in different modes (standby/speaking/listening) and standards (2G/3G) across LF1 (5–200 Hz) and LF2 (120 Hz–10 kHz) bands
Simulated ELF magnetic field exposure at body locations (head/midbrain, thorax/heart, pelvis/scrotum) at 10 Hz, 50 Hz, and 200 Hz

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "exposure_assessment",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": null,
  "sample_size": 15,
  "outcomes": [
    "Measured ELF magnetic field levels (RMS) from cell phones in different modes (standby/speaking/listening) and standards (2G/3G) across LF1 (5–200 Hz) and LF2 (120 Hz–10 kHz) bands",
    "Simulated ELF magnetic field exposure at body locations (head/midbrain, thorax/heart, pelvis/scrotum) at 10 Hz, 50 Hz, and 200 Hz"
  ],
  "main_findings": "ELF magnetic fields were measured on the front and back sides of 15 cell phones; the highest reported values were 70.03 µT (RMS) in LF1 (2G, listening mode, front side) and 12.67 µT (RMS) in LF2 (2G, speaking mode, front side). 3G phones consistently emitted lower ELF magnetic fields than 2G phones. Simulations reported midbrain values of 8.45/7.5/6.09 µT, heart values of 3.89/3.98/2.83 µT, and scrotum values of 2.03/1.96/1.56 µT at 10/50/200 Hz, respectively; the abstract states these are comparable to values reported to induce biological and health effects.",
  "effect_direction": "unclear",
  "limitations": [],
  "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "extremely low frequency",
    "ELF",
    "magnetic fields",
    "cell phones",
    "2G",
    "3G",
    "exposure assessment",
    "simulation",
    "CST Studio Suite",
    "LF1 5–200 Hz",
    "LF2 120 Hz–10 kHz",
    "microtesla"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.15,
      "reason": "Includes simulated exposure at body locations (head/thorax/pelvis), but the abstract does not specify occupational settings; hub match is weak."
    }
  ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.3389/fphy.2023.1094921
PubMed: Not supplied

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