Investigation of extremely low-frequency (1 Hz-400 kHz) pollution frequently encountered in social life: a case study of a shopping mall

Environmental science and pollution research international · 2022 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 660

Study snapshot

PublicationEnvironmental science and pollution research international · 2022

Study typeexposure_assessment

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Investigation of extremely low-frequency (1 Hz-400 kHz) pollution frequently encountered in social life: a case study of a shopping mall Emeksiz C. Investigation of extremely low-frequency (1 Hz-400 kHz) pollution frequently encountered in social life: a case study of a shopping mall. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2022 Nov 3. doi: 10.1007/s11356-022-23843-7. Abstract It is important to periodically measure, analyze, and map electromagnetic radiation levels due to potential risks. This study aims to draw attention to new electromagnetic pollution caused by radio frequencies and extremely low frequencies. For this reason, electric field and magnetic field measurements were carried out in the 1-Hz- 400-kHz frequency band in a shopping mall, where electronic devices cause low-frequency electromagnetic radiation intensively. The measurements were performed with the EHP-50F device for 24 h a day for a week. The measurements were made at 10 points in the shopping mall, and the measurement results were evaluated over five different sectors: electronics, clothing and accessories (male-female), personal care and cosmetics, supermarket, and the playland for children. Magnetic maps of each sector were produced. In addition, the specific absorption rates (SAR) of male and female customers in these workplaces were determined. This is the first study carried out to find SAR caused by low-frequency radiation. Although the safe limit value of SAR for the whole body is 0.08 W/kg, the SAR values calculated in the playland and electronics sectors were obtained to be 0.763 and 0.39 W/kg, respectively. Results clearly demonstrate how especially small children are exposed to danger in the long term. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Conclusions In this study, five main topics were discussed: the determination of 10 different measurement points at the largest shopping mall in the province of Tokat, Turkey; a grouping of the measurement points by service sectors; measurement of low-frequency electric and magnetic field values; determination of electromagnetic pollution maps of measurement points; and analysis of SAR values. First of all, workplaces designated for measuring points in the shopping mall were divided into 5 service groups: electronics, clothing and accessories (male–female), personal care and cosmetics, supermarket, and the playland. The coordinates and measurements of the workplaces were carried out meticulously. The information obtained was entered separately to the measurement points in the shopping mall, and a low-frequency electromagnetic pollution map was obtained. Exposure to SAR in male and female customer groups was compared to biological limits defined by ICNIRP, where adverse effects start to appear. The results obtained are as follows: 1. The evaluation of the data collected from 10 points of measurement for a week showed that the playland region, which serves children, has the highest electric and magnetic field values. In this region, an average electric field of 52.666 V/m and a magnetic field of 0.046 µT were measured for a week. According to the measured electric field, the SAR ratio was found to be 0.763 W/kg, above the maximum values. The electronic service sector was ranked second sector which exceeds the safety limits. 2. The lowest average electric and magnetic field values (1.398 V/m, 0.044 µT) were obtained in the supermarket sector. Accordingly, the lowest SAR value was also determined at the measuring points of this sector. 3. The maximum and minimum electric field values were obtained on different days of the week, as shown in the tables that present the statistical evaluation of the measurement results. Therefore, customers will be exposed to different impacts on different days of the week. 4. In determining the SAR rates, the safety limit for the whole body was taken as a reference. Both male and female customers were evaluated separately. In the calculations, individuals with a normal body mass index were preferred. This is because the overweight and obese groups are more exposed to SAR than the normal groups. 5. Although male and female customers are exposed to high amounts of electromagnetic radiation, the duration of radiation exposure is also of importance. And, although customers are exposed to this radiation for a short period of time, employees in these workplaces are exposed to the radiation for at least 10 h every day. Consequently, as a common place for a shopping habit that emerged in today’s societies, shopping malls are the points where low-frequency electromagnetic radiation is seen intensively. In addition, the decrease in children’s play areas due to rapid urbanization causes parents to spend a large part of their children’s time in the play areas in shopping malls. Given the literature studies that draw attention to the impact of low-frequency electromagnetic radiation, it is once again seen how important the politicians’ responsibilities are in providing a safe and healthy environment for all of us.

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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 directionharm

PopulationMale and female customers (SAR estimated); shopping mall employees mentioned as longer-duration exposed group

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF · Measurements with EHP-50F for 24 h/day for 1 week; 10 locations

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Electric and magnetic field measurements (1 Hz–400 kHz) at 10 points in a shopping mall over one week found the highest average fields in the children’s playland (average electric field 52.666 V/m; magnetic field 0.046 µT). SAR was calculated using a whole-body reference limit of 0.08 W/kg; estimated SAR values were 0.763 W/kg in the playland and 0.39 W/kg in the electronics sector, while the supermarket had the lowest average fields (1.398 V/m; 0.044 µT) and lowest SAR.

Outcomes measured

Electric field strength (V/m)
Magnetic field strength (µT)
Sector-specific electromagnetic pollution maps
Specific absorption rate (SAR) estimates for whole body (W/kg)

Limitations

Single-site case study (one shopping mall in Tokat, Turkey)
Sample size of people not reported; SAR appears to be calculated/estimated rather than measured in individuals
Details of SAR calculation method and assumptions are not provided in the abstract
No health outcomes measured; focuses on exposure levels and comparison to limits

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "exposure_assessment",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "shopping mall electronic devices (multiple sectors)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "Measurements with EHP-50F for 24 h/day for 1 week; 10 locations"
  },
  "population": "Male and female customers (SAR estimated); shopping mall employees mentioned as longer-duration exposed group",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Electric field strength (V/m)",
    "Magnetic field strength (µT)",
    "Sector-specific electromagnetic pollution maps",
    "Specific absorption rate (SAR) estimates for whole body (W/kg)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Electric and magnetic field measurements (1 Hz–400 kHz) at 10 points in a shopping mall over one week found the highest average fields in the children’s playland (average electric field 52.666 V/m; magnetic field 0.046 µT). SAR was calculated using a whole-body reference limit of 0.08 W/kg; estimated SAR values were 0.763 W/kg in the playland and 0.39 W/kg in the electronics sector, while the supermarket had the lowest average fields (1.398 V/m; 0.044 µT) and lowest SAR.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Single-site case study (one shopping mall in Tokat, Turkey)",
    "Sample size of people not reported; SAR appears to be calculated/estimated rather than measured in individuals",
    "Details of SAR calculation method and assumptions are not provided in the abstract",
    "No health outcomes measured; focuses on exposure levels and comparison to limits"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "extremely low frequency",
    "1 Hz–400 kHz",
    "shopping mall",
    "electric field",
    "magnetic field",
    "SAR",
    "electromagnetic pollution",
    "EHP-50F",
    "ICNIRP"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.55,
      "reason": "Abstract notes employees may be exposed for at least 10 h/day in these workplaces (though measurements are in a public mall)."
    },
    {
      "slug": "who-icnirp",
      "weight": 0.5,
      "reason": "Exposure/SAR compared to biological limits defined by ICNIRP."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.1007/s11356-022-23843-7
PubMed: 36327086

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