Investigation of Microwave Electromagnetic Fields in Open and Shielded Areas and Their Possible Effects on Biological Structure

2023 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 554

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2023

Study typeexposure_assessment

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Investigation of Microwave Electromagnetic Fields in Open and Shielded Areas and Their Possible Effects on Biological Structure Vaverka F, Smetana M, Gombarska D, Psenakova Z. Investigation of Microwave Electromagnetic Fields in Open and Shielded Areas and Their Possible Effects on Biological Structure. Sensors (Basel). 2023 Feb 20;23(4):2351. doi: 10.3390/s23042351. Abstract The article’s subject is the investigation of electromagnetic fields (EMF) of the microwave frequency band in a typical human living environment, especially in shielded areas. The point of view of electromagnetic field presence in the environment with the rapid increase in the level of the electromagnetic background is currently an essential point concerning population protection against the potential adverse effects of such EMFs. The authors focus on actual measurements, especially in shielded spaces frequently used in everyday life, such as elevator cabins and cars. The goal is a quantitative evaluation of the distribution of specific vector quantities of the EM field and a comparison with the currently valid hygiene standards. Measured values in shielded spaces show elevated levels in contrast to the open space. However, the values do not exceed limits set by considering the thermal effect on living tissues. Conclusions This article dealt with the measurements of the EM field in the microwave frequency band in shielded areas. A dipole antenna was used to perform the experiments, while a discone antenna was also used to verify the measurement results and calibrate the instruments. The assessment of the degree of possible EMF influence in the microwave band was carried out given the current legislation in force in the EU. Hygienic limits set maximum permissible EMF values, converted to given tissue parameters, but they do not include situations where EMF sources are in a shielded environment (for example, underground parking garages, garages, cellars, personal elevators, etc.). This study showed that the values are significantly elevated in the premises in question. At the same time, under certain circumstances (for example, several people talking on the phone in an elevator simultaneously, etc.) it can potentially affect the proper function of various implantable electronic devices (pacemaker, insulin pump, etc.) [13,18,21]. Measurements in shielded spaces such as elevators and car cabins show the raised values of RF fields when using communication devices, even car-embedded hands-free. It is recommended to avoid using the phone in a shielded environment or vehicles. The effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields depend on the human health constitution and qualification. The directives and standards limiting the exposure of EMF are electric field strength limits for the frequency range up to 1800 MHz for “Public” 58 V/m and “Occupational” 127 V/m and for the frequency range up to 2100 MHz for “Public” 61 V/m and “Occupational” 137 V/m. The electric field strength in shielded space is much lower in our measurements than in exposure limits. Nevertheless, it is advisable to approach the use of mobile devices, especially in shielded areas, with caution. Open access paper: mdpi.com

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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 directionmixed

PopulationNot supplied

Sample sizeNot supplied

Exposuremicrowave

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Measurements in shielded spaces (elevator cabins, car cabins) showed elevated RF/microwave EMF levels compared with open space, but measured electric field strengths were below stated public/occupational exposure limits based on thermal effects. The authors note that under certain circumstances (e.g., multiple people using phones simultaneously in an elevator) exposure could potentially affect the proper function of implantable electronic devices.

Outcomes measured

Measured RF/EMF levels (electric field strength) in open vs shielded environments
Comparison to EU hygienic exposure limits/standards
Potential interference risk for implantable electronic devices (e.g., pacemaker, insulin pump) under certain circumstances

Limitations

No specific frequencies, quantitative measurement values, or sampling details are provided in the abstract
Health/biological effects are discussed as potential; no direct biological measurements or clinical outcomes are reported in the abstract
Scope appears limited to selected shielded environments (elevators/cars) and specific measurement setups

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "exposure_assessment",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "microwave",
    "source": "mobile phone/communication devices in shielded spaces (elevators, cars)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": null,
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Measured RF/EMF levels (electric field strength) in open vs shielded environments",
    "Comparison to EU hygienic exposure limits/standards",
    "Potential interference risk for implantable electronic devices (e.g., pacemaker, insulin pump) under certain circumstances"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Measurements in shielded spaces (elevator cabins, car cabins) showed elevated RF/microwave EMF levels compared with open space, but measured electric field strengths were below stated public/occupational exposure limits based on thermal effects. The authors note that under certain circumstances (e.g., multiple people using phones simultaneously in an elevator) exposure could potentially affect the proper function of implantable electronic devices.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "No specific frequencies, quantitative measurement values, or sampling details are provided in the abstract",
    "Health/biological effects are discussed as potential; no direct biological measurements or clinical outcomes are reported in the abstract",
    "Scope appears limited to selected shielded environments (elevators/cars) and specific measurement setups"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "microwave",
    "RF fields",
    "shielded spaces",
    "elevator cabin",
    "car cabin",
    "mobile phone",
    "electric field strength",
    "exposure limits",
    "EU legislation",
    "implantable electronic devices",
    "pacemaker",
    "insulin pump"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.32,
      "reason": "Abstract references public vs occupational exposure limits and compares measurements to hygiene standards."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.3390/s23042351
PubMed: Not supplied

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