Radio-frequency electromagnetic field exposure and contribution of sources in the general population: an organ-specific integrative exposure assessment

Journal of exposure science & environmental epidemiology · 2021 · Unclear · Insufficient evidence

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UnclearInsufficient evidencePaper 1194

Study snapshot

PublicationJournal of exposure science & environmental epidemiology · 2021

Study typeexposure_assessment

Reported directionUnclear

Evidence ratingInsufficient

Abstract

Radio-frequency electromagnetic field exposure and contribution of sources in the general population: an organ-specific integrative exposure assessment Luuk van Wel, Ilaria Liorni, Anke Huss, Arno Thielens, Joe Wiart, Wout Joseph, Martin Röösli, Milena Foerster, Amelie Massardier-Pilonchery, Myles Capstick, Elisabeth Cardis, Roel Vermeulen. Radio-frequency electromagnetic field exposure and contribution of sources in the general population: an organ-specific integrative exposure assessment. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol. 2021 Mar 2. doi: 10.1038/s41370-021-00287-8. Abstract In order to achieve an integrated radio-frequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) dose assessment, detailed information about source-specific exposure duration and output power is needed. We developed an Integrated Exposure Model (IEM) to combine energy absorbed due to use of and exposure to RF-EMF sources and applied it to a sample of the general population to derive population RF-EMF estimates. The IEM used specific absorption rate transfer algorithms to provide RF-EMF daily dose estimates (mJ/kg/day) using source-specific attributes (e.g. output power, distance), personal characteristics and usage patterns. Information was obtained from an international survey performed in four European countries with 1755 participants. We obtained median whole- body and whole-brain doses of 183.7 and 204.4 mJ/kg/day. Main contributors to whole-brain dose were mobile phone near the head for calling (2G networks) and far-field sources, whereas the latter together with multiple other RF-EMF sources were main contributors for whole-body dose. For other anatomical sites, 2G phone calls, mobile data and far-field exposure were important contributors. The IEM provides insight into main contributors to total RF-EMF dose and, applied to an international survey, provides an estimate of population RF-dose. The IEM can be used in future epidemiological studies, risk assessments and exposure reduction strategies. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Excerpts Relative contributions per source For the whole-brain the use of mobile phones near the head remains by far the main contributor to total dose. Phone calls performed on a 2G network, which generally uses a higher output power, provide a high contribution followed at a distance by nearby Wi-Fi-routers. Regarding whole-body dose, the contribution of other sources becomes more important. Far-field exposure, Wi-Fi-routers, laptops, tablets and even other functions than calling on a mobile phone provide a higher contribution to the whole-body dose. This indicates that while just looking at mobile phone calls may include most RF-EMF exposure for health outcomes focused on the brain, this is not the case for the whole-body. In addition, adaptive output power control depending on the mobile phones’ function may further influence exposure levels, as explained below. When looking at potential health endpoints at anatomical sites other than the brain (e.g. heart, liver), multiple devices should be included. RF-EMF dose reduction With the relative contributions found in this study, various non-technical interventions may be considered to reduce overall RF-EMF dose. The avoidance of using a mobile phone near the head when using 2G networks may be an efficient way to reduce overall exposure by half for the whole-brain and up to 25% for the whole-body. This can be achieved on modern smartphones by disabling the use of 2G networks altogether or by using a wired hands-free kit instead. In the latter case, the exposure will shift from the head to other parts of the body when the device is held in a hand or pocket. In general, we observed a higher RF-EMF dose with device functions that require higher amounts of data, such as video streaming. Placing the device on a nearby surface or stand with data intensive uses can be considered to reduce dose. For far-field exposure, it is generally difficult to achieve individual reduction as these are continuous exposures generally not controlled by the subject, such as FM radio broadcast and mobile phone antennas. Conclusion In conclusion, we developed the most comprehensive RF-EMF dose estimation tool to date. Realistic population exposure scenarios were obtained by using data on mobile phone use from an international survey in the model. Overall RF-EMF dose for the whole-body and whole-brain was found to be higher in younger age groups in comparison with older groups. Mobile phone calls on 2G networks were found to be the main contributor to whole-brain RF-EMF dose. For whole-body dose, far-field of telecommunications and multiple other RF-EMF sources played a prominent role as well. These findings can be used in the creation of non-technical interventions aimed at lowering RF-EMF exposure from current technologies, with the modular structure of the model allowing inclusion of new technologies such as 5th generation networks. Future epidemiological studies involving RF-EMF exposure should take multiple RF-EMF sources into account by adding detailed questions on exposure duration when investigating other anatomical sites than the brain.

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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 directionunclear

PopulationGeneral population sample from four European countries (international survey participants)

Sample size1755

ExposureRF · daily dose estimates derived from survey-based usage patterns

Evidence strengthInsufficientConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

An Integrated Exposure Model (IEM) was developed to estimate organ-specific RF-EMF daily dose using source attributes, personal characteristics, and usage patterns from an international survey (n=1755). Median estimated doses were 183.7 mJ/kg/day (whole-body) and 204.4 mJ/kg/day (whole-brain). Main contributors to whole-brain dose were mobile phone use near the head for calling on 2G networks and far-field sources; whole-body dose had more prominent contributions from far-field exposure along with multiple other sources (e.g., Wi-Fi routers, laptops, tablets, and other mobile phone functions).

Outcomes measured

Organ-/site-specific RF-EMF daily dose estimates (mJ/kg/day)
Whole-body RF-EMF dose (mJ/kg/day)
Whole-brain RF-EMF dose (mJ/kg/day)
Relative contribution of RF-EMF sources to dose

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "exposure_assessment",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "multiple (mobile phone calling/data, wi-fi routers, far-field sources, laptops/tablets)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "daily dose estimates derived from survey-based usage patterns"
  },
  "population": "General population sample from four European countries (international survey participants)",
  "sample_size": 1755,
  "outcomes": [
    "Organ-/site-specific RF-EMF daily dose estimates (mJ/kg/day)",
    "Whole-body RF-EMF dose (mJ/kg/day)",
    "Whole-brain RF-EMF dose (mJ/kg/day)",
    "Relative contribution of RF-EMF sources to dose"
  ],
  "main_findings": "An Integrated Exposure Model (IEM) was developed to estimate organ-specific RF-EMF daily dose using source attributes, personal characteristics, and usage patterns from an international survey (n=1755). Median estimated doses were 183.7 mJ/kg/day (whole-body) and 204.4 mJ/kg/day (whole-brain). Main contributors to whole-brain dose were mobile phone use near the head for calling on 2G networks and far-field sources; whole-body dose had more prominent contributions from far-field exposure along with multiple other sources (e.g., Wi-Fi routers, laptops, tablets, and other mobile phone functions).",
  "effect_direction": "unclear",
  "limitations": [],
  "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "RF-EMF",
    "integrated exposure model",
    "IEM",
    "specific absorption rate transfer algorithms",
    "organ-specific dose",
    "whole-body dose",
    "whole-brain dose",
    "2G",
    "mobile phone calls",
    "mobile data",
    "Wi-Fi routers",
    "far-field exposure",
    "population exposure",
    "survey"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "school-wi-fi",
      "weight": 0.2,
      "reason": "Wi-Fi routers are included as a contributing RF-EMF source, though the setting is general population rather than schools."
    },
    {
      "slug": "who-icnirp",
      "weight": 0.15,
      "reason": "Exposure assessment and dose estimation relevant to risk assessment contexts, but no explicit WHO/ICNIRP mention in provided text."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.1038/s41370-021-00287-8
PubMed: 33654268

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