Instruments to measure environmental and personal radiofrequency-electromagnetic field exposures: an update

2022 · Unclear · Insufficient evidence

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UnclearInsufficient evidencePaper 774

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2022

Study typereview

Reported directionUnclear

Evidence ratingInsufficient

Abstract

Instruments to measure environmental and personal radiofrequency-electromagnetic field exposures: an update Bhatt, C.R., Henderson, S., Brzozek, C., Benke, G. Instruments to measure environmental and personal radiofrequency-electromagnetic field exposures: an update. Phys Eng Sci Med (2022). doi: 10.1007/s13246-022- 01146-y. Abstract Modern human populations are exposed to anthropogenic sources of radiofrequency-electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs), primarily to telecommunication and broadcasting technologies. As a result, ongoing concerns from some members of the public have arisen regarding potential health effects following RF-EMF exposures. In order to monitor human RF-EMF exposures and investigate potential health effects, an objective assessment of RF- EMF exposures is necessary. Accurate dosimetry is essential for any investigation of potential associations between RF-EMF exposure and health effects in human populations. This review updates state-of-the-art knowledge of currently available RF-EMF exposure assessment tools applicable in human epidemiological studies. These tools cater for assessing RF-EMF exposures in human environments; through mobile phone-based tools or other standalone tools. RF-EMF exposure assessment has been significantly improved through the application of some of these tools in recent years. Conclusion This updated review includes most currently used tools for environmental and personal RF-EMF assessment. These tools, involving both mobile phone-based and standalone RF-EMF exposure assessment instruments, provide useful objective measurements of RF-EMF exposures associated with broadcast and telecommunication technologies. Most of these instruments have been validated through recent epidemiological studies conducted internationally. These tools have demonstrated capabilities in providing RF-EMF exposure data for current and future human epidemiological studies. The future research and development in the science of RF-EMF exposure assessment could consider tools that would enable exposure assessment in relation to a wide range of currently available RF-EMF emitting sources, such as cordless and mobile phones, tablet devices and laptop computers. The need for further development of exposimeters or radiation meters that could measure mmWave frequencies is also necessary. Open access paper: link.springer.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 typereview

Effect directionunclear

PopulationModern human populations (context: human epidemiological studies)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF

Evidence strengthInsufficientConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

This review updates state-of-the-art knowledge of currently available tools for assessing environmental and personal RF-EMF exposures in human epidemiological studies, including mobile phone-based and standalone instruments. It concludes that most currently used instruments provide useful objective measurements and that many have been validated in recent international epidemiological studies; it also notes a need for further development of devices capable of measuring mmWave frequencies.

Outcomes measured

RF-EMF exposure assessment/dosimetry tools for environmental and personal exposure measurement
Validation and applicability of RF-EMF measurement instruments in epidemiological studies

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "review",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "telecommunication and broadcasting technologies",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Modern human populations (context: human epidemiological studies)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "RF-EMF exposure assessment/dosimetry tools for environmental and personal exposure measurement",
    "Validation and applicability of RF-EMF measurement instruments in epidemiological studies"
  ],
  "main_findings": "This review updates state-of-the-art knowledge of currently available tools for assessing environmental and personal RF-EMF exposures in human epidemiological studies, including mobile phone-based and standalone instruments. It concludes that most currently used instruments provide useful objective measurements and that many have been validated in recent international epidemiological studies; it also notes a need for further development of devices capable of measuring mmWave frequencies.",
  "effect_direction": "unclear",
  "limitations": [],
  "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "radiofrequency",
    "RF-EMF",
    "exposure assessment",
    "dosimetry",
    "exposimeter",
    "environmental exposure",
    "personal exposure",
    "mobile phone-based tools",
    "broadcasting",
    "telecommunications",
    "mmWave"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "5g-policy",
      "weight": 0.28,
      "reason": "Mentions need for tools to measure mmWave frequencies, relevant to newer telecommunications bands."
    }
  ]
}

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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/s13246-022
PubMed: Not supplied

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