Regular measurements of EMF in a representative Norwegian city-constant exposure over time despite introduction of new technologies

2022 · No effect · Moderate evidence

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No effectModerate evidencePaper 726

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2022

Study typeexposure_assessment

Reported directionNo effect

Evidence ratingModerate

Abstract

Regular measurements of EMF in a representative Norwegian city-constant exposure over time despite introduction of new technologies Markussen AC, Sjoemoen TM, Unander EH, Klaeboe L. Regular measurements of EMF in a representative Norwegian city-constant exposure over time despite introduction of new technologies. Environ Monit Assess. 2022 Aug 19;194(10):694. doi: 10.1007/s10661-022-10231-4. Abstract The rapid growth of the wireless communication industry has resulted in the installation of numerous base stations, everywhere in our surroundings. The population is exposed to Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Fields of varying frequency and strength. This, and introduction of new systems have risen public concerns regarding potential health effects from this RF-EMF exposure. The purpose of this project is to get an overview of any changes in exposure when new technologies are introduced. From June 2013 to October 2019, measurements were made at 16 measurement points in Kristiansand and surrounding areas in the same order, on the same day of the week and at the same time of day. The measurements are performed on the frequency bands 390, 450, 800, 900, 1800, 2100, 2400, and 2600 MHz. When we summed up the exposure for all the frequency bands relative to the limit values in a measuring point, the total values per measuring point showed that the exposure outdoors in most cases is less than 1‰ of the limit value. In 2017, a temporary increase was registered for most measurement points, but during 2018 the levels returned to the levels registered before 2017. During the increase, the levels were still low, around 3‰ of the limit values. The increase may be due to the fact that two mobile operators during this period made a comprehensive reconfiguration of their networks. The measurements presented in this report show that the exposure of the population is low, thousandths of the limit values, and relatively constant over time even though new technologies are introduced. Open access paper: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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 directionno_effect

PopulationGeneral population (outdoor environmental exposure in Kristiansand, Norway and surrounding areas)

Sample size16

ExposureRF · June 2013 to October 2019 (repeated measurements at fixed times)

Evidence strengthModerateConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Across 16 outdoor measurement points monitored repeatedly from 2013 to 2019, summed RF-EMF exposure across measured bands was in most cases less than 1 of the limit value. A temporary increase occurred in 2017 (around 3 of limit values) at most points, with levels returning in 2018 to pre-2017 levels; overall exposure was described as low and relatively constant over time despite introduction of new technologies.

Outcomes measured

Outdoor RF-EMF exposure levels relative to limit values over time
Temporal changes in summed exposure across multiple frequency bands

Limitations

Health outcomes were not assessed (exposure monitoring study).
Measurements were limited to 16 outdoor measurement points in one Norwegian city and surrounding areas.
Exposure was assessed relative to limit values; absolute field levels are not provided in the abstract.
Only specific frequency bands were measured (390, 450, 800, 900, 1800, 2100, 2400, 2600 MHz).

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "exposure_assessment",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "base station",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "June 2013 to October 2019 (repeated measurements at fixed times)"
  },
  "population": "General population (outdoor environmental exposure in Kristiansand, Norway and surrounding areas)",
  "sample_size": 16,
  "outcomes": [
    "Outdoor RF-EMF exposure levels relative to limit values over time",
    "Temporal changes in summed exposure across multiple frequency bands"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Across 16 outdoor measurement points monitored repeatedly from 2013 to 2019, summed RF-EMF exposure across measured bands was in most cases less than 1\u001f of the limit value. A temporary increase occurred in 2017 (around 3\u001f of limit values) at most points, with levels returning in 2018 to pre-2017 levels; overall exposure was described as low and relatively constant over time despite introduction of new technologies.",
  "effect_direction": "no_effect",
  "limitations": [
    "Health outcomes were not assessed (exposure monitoring study).",
    "Measurements were limited to 16 outdoor measurement points in one Norwegian city and surrounding areas.",
    "Exposure was assessed relative to limit values; absolute field levels are not provided in the abstract.",
    "Only specific frequency bands were measured (390, 450, 800, 900, 1800, 2100, 2400, 2600 MHz)."
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "moderate",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "RF-EMF",
    "radiofrequency",
    "environmental monitoring",
    "base stations",
    "outdoor exposure",
    "Norway",
    "Kristiansand",
    "temporal trends",
    "frequency bands",
    "limit values"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0,
      "reason": null
    }
  ]
}

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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/s10661-022-10231-4
PubMed: Not supplied

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