Electromagnetic Radiation due to Cellular, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technologies: How safe are we?

2019 · Harm · Insufficient evidence

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HarmInsufficient evidencePaper 1569

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2019

Study typeexposure_assessment

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingInsufficient

Abstract

Electromagnetic Radiation due to Cellular, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technologies: How safe are we? Naren, Elhance A, Chamola V. Guizani M. Electromagnetic Radiation due to Cellular, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technologies: How safe are we? IEEE Access. 4:1-21. 2019. DOI 10.1109/ACCESS.2020.2976434 Abstract The electromagnetic radiation (EMR) emitted out of wireless communication modules in various electronic devices have been identified by researchers as biologically hazardous to humans as well as other living beings. Different countries have different regulations to limit the radiation density levels caused by these devices. The radiation absorbed by an individual depends on various factors such as the device they use, the proximity of use, the type of antenna, the relative orientation of the antenna on the device, and many more. Several standards exist which have tried to quantify the radiation levels and come up with safe limits of EMR absorption to prevent human harm. In this work, we determine the radiation concern levels in several scenarios using a handheld radiation meter by correlating the findings with several international standards, which are determined based on thorough scientific evidence. This study also analyzes the EMR from common devices used in day to day life such as smartphones, laptops, Wi-Fi routers, hotspots, wireless earphones, smartwatches, Bluetooth speakers and other wireless accessories using a handheld radio frequency radiation measurement device. The procedure followed in this paper is so presented that it can also be utilized by the general public as a tutorial to evaluate their own safety with respect to EMR exposure. We present a summary of the most prominent health hazards which have been known to occur due to EMR exposure. We also discuss some individual and collective human- centric protective and preventive measures that can be undertaken to reduce the risk of EMR absorption. This paper analyses radiation safety in pre-5G networks and uses the insight gained to raise valuable concerns regarding EMR safety in the upcoming 5G networks. Conclusions People should be made aware that the EMR from using day to day cellular, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices are harmful to human health. The levels of radiation observed in most cases such as phone calls, internet browsing on laptops and smartphones, using wireless routers and hotspots, Bluetooth smartwatches and smartphones are unsafe when compared with radiations limits determined by medical bodies. According to current medical literature, various adverse health effects from exposure to RF EMR have been well documented. For now, wireless technologies must be avoided as much as possible. New and innovative wired solutions which provide the same level of user-friendliness should be encouraged. Intervention of government and medical bodies with the main purpose of protecting human health is of utmost necessity to ensure good economic development without compromising the health of the population. Countries must adopt the guide-lines suggested by medical bodies which take into account both thermal and non-thermal effects of EMR. At present, all individuals must take preventive and protective measures to protect themselves from harmful EMR exposure. Open access paper: ieeexplore.ieee.org

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 directionharm

PopulationNot supplied

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF

Evidence strengthInsufficientConfidence: 66% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

The paper reports measuring RF EMR from common cellular/Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth devices in several scenarios using a handheld RF radiation measurement device and comparing observed levels with international standards. It concludes that in most tested scenarios the observed radiation levels were described as unsafe relative to limits determined by medical bodies and states that adverse health effects from RF EMR exposure are well documented in current medical literature.

Outcomes measured

RF EMR levels measured with handheld radiation meter/device in multiple everyday-use scenarios
Comparison of measured levels to international standards/limits
Summary/discussion of health hazards attributed to RF EMR exposure
Discussion of protective/preventive measures
Concerns regarding EMR safety in upcoming 5G networks (based on pre-5G analysis)

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "exposure_assessment",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "cellular, Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth devices (e.g., smartphones, laptops, routers/hotspots, wireless earphones, smartwatches, Bluetooth speakers)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": null,
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "RF EMR levels measured with handheld radiation meter/device in multiple everyday-use scenarios",
    "Comparison of measured levels to international standards/limits",
    "Summary/discussion of health hazards attributed to RF EMR exposure",
    "Discussion of protective/preventive measures",
    "Concerns regarding EMR safety in upcoming 5G networks (based on pre-5G analysis)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "The paper reports measuring RF EMR from common cellular/Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth devices in several scenarios using a handheld RF radiation measurement device and comparing observed levels with international standards. It concludes that in most tested scenarios the observed radiation levels were described as unsafe relative to limits determined by medical bodies and states that adverse health effects from RF EMR exposure are well documented in current medical literature.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [],
  "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
  "confidence": 0.66,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "RF EMR",
    "cellular",
    "Wi‑Fi",
    "Bluetooth",
    "handheld radiation meter",
    "exposure measurement",
    "international standards",
    "health hazards",
    "protective measures",
    "5G concerns"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "school-wi-fi",
      "weight": 0.22,
      "reason": "Includes assessment/discussion of Wi‑Fi router exposure (general, not school-specific)."
    },
    {
      "slug": "5g-policy",
      "weight": 0.34,
      "reason": "Raises concerns regarding EMR safety in upcoming 5G networks based on pre‑5G analysis."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.1109/access.2020.2976434
PubMed: Not supplied

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