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Age-dependence of electromagnetic power and heat deposition in near-surface tissues in emerging 5G bands

2021 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 1212

Using a near-surface tissue model illuminated by a plane wave at 26 GHz and 60 GHz, age-related variations in power density, SAR, and heating were limited to about 10–15%. Transmitted power density increased with age, while peak SAR decreased at both frequenc…

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2021
Study typeengineering
Reported directionMixed
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Age-dependence of electromagnetic power and heat deposition in near-surface tissues in emerging 5G bands Giulia Sacco, Stefano Pisa, Maxim Zhadobov. Age-dependence of electromagnetic power and heat deposition in near-surface tissues in emerging 5G bands. Sci Rep. 2021 Feb 17;11(1):3983. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-82458-z. Abstract With the development of 5th generation (5G) mobile networks people of different ages will be exposed in the upper part of the microwave spectrum. From the perspective of non-ionizing radiation dosimetry, an accurate analysis of age-dependent electromagnetic power deposition and resulting heating is required. In this study, we evaluate the effect of age on exposure at 26 GHz and 60 GHz. A near-surface tissue model illuminated by a plane wave is used to asses the exposure considering both frequency-independent and frequency-dependent limits. The age-related variation of the skin thickness and tissue electromagnetic properties has been considered. Moreover, the blood flow decrease rate has been taken into account to assess the age-dependent heating. Our results demonstrate that the overall variations of the power density, specific absorption rate (SAR) and heating in the near-surface tissues are limited to about 10-15%. These variations are mainly due to the tissue permittivity and blood flow change with age. In contrast to the transmitted power density that increases with age, the peak SAR decreases at both frequencies. The peak steady-state heating increases from 5 to 70 years old by roughly 11% at 26 GHz and 13% at 60 GHz. 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 typeengineering
Effect directionmixed
PopulationHumans of different ages (modeled; ages 5 to 70 years mentioned)
Sample sizeNot supplied
ExposuremmWave
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Using a near-surface tissue model illuminated by a plane wave at 26 GHz and 60 GHz, age-related variations in power density, SAR, and heating were limited to about 10–15%. Transmitted power density increased with age, while peak SAR decreased at both frequencies. Peak steady-state heating increased from 5 to 70 years by ~11% at 26 GHz and ~13% at 60 GHz.

Outcomes measured

  • power density (transmitted)
  • specific absorption rate (SAR)
  • steady-state heating/temperature increase in near-surface tissues
  • age-related variation in skin thickness, tissue electromagnetic properties, and blood flow effects on heating

Limitations

  • Model-based dosimetry study (near-surface tissue model with plane-wave illumination), not direct measurements in people
  • Only two frequencies evaluated (26 GHz and 60 GHz)
  • Results depend on assumed age-related changes in tissue properties, skin thickness, and blood flow (as modeled)
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "engineering",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "mmWave",
    "source": "5G mobile networks (modeled plane-wave illumination)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Humans of different ages (modeled; ages 5 to 70 years mentioned)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "power density (transmitted)",
    "specific absorption rate (SAR)",
    "steady-state heating/temperature increase in near-surface tissues",
    "age-related variation in skin thickness, tissue electromagnetic properties, and blood flow effects on heating"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Using a near-surface tissue model illuminated by a plane wave at 26 GHz and 60 GHz, age-related variations in power density, SAR, and heating were limited to about 10–15%. Transmitted power density increased with age, while peak SAR decreased at both frequencies. Peak steady-state heating increased from 5 to 70 years by ~11% at 26 GHz and ~13% at 60 GHz.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Model-based dosimetry study (near-surface tissue model with plane-wave illumination), not direct measurements in people",
    "Only two frequencies evaluated (26 GHz and 60 GHz)",
    "Results depend on assumed age-related changes in tissue properties, skin thickness, and blood flow (as modeled)"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "5G",
    "millimeter wave",
    "26 GHz",
    "60 GHz",
    "age dependence",
    "dosimetry",
    "power density",
    "SAR",
    "heating",
    "skin",
    "blood flow",
    "near-surface tissues"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "5g-policy",
      "weight": 0.6,
      "reason": "Study evaluates exposure/dosimetry in emerging 5G bands (26 and 60 GHz)."
    }
  ]
}
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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/s41598-021-82458-z
PubMed: Not supplied

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