Environmental radiofrequency electromagnetic field levels in a department of pediatrics

2019 · Unclear · Insufficient evidence

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UnclearInsufficient evidencePaper 1640

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2019

Study typeexposure_assessment

Reported directionUnclear

Evidence ratingInsufficient

Abstract

Environmental radiofrequency electromagnetic field levels in a department of pediatrics Besset D, Selmaoui B, Tourneux P, Leke A, Delanaud S, de Seze R, Stephan Blanchard E. Environmental radiofrequency electromagnetic field levels in a department of pediatrics. Environ Res. 2019 Nov 6:108894. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.108894. Abstract Preterm neonates constitute a vulnerable population that is highly sensitive to its environment. Given the increased use of wireless communication devices (mobile and digital enhanced cordless telecommunications, WiFi networks, etc.), neonates hospitalized in a department of pediatrics are potentially exposed to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF). Strikingly, data on RF-EMF levels in pediatric units have not previously been published. The objective of the present study was thus to quantify the RF-EMF levels in a 34-bed tertiary department of pediatrics with a neonatal critical care unit (NCCU) and a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). To this end, we used triaxle antenna dosimeters to map the RF-EMF levels in the environment and to measure spot emissions from medical devices. In a first set of experiments, RF-EMF levels at 144 points in the staff area and in the children's rooms in the NCCU and NICU were evaluated over a 24-h period. In a second set of measurements performed in a Faraday chamber, we measured the RF-EMF levels emitted by the medical devices to which neonates are potentially exposed in the department of pediatrics. The RF-EMF levels were significantly higher in the NCCU than in the NICU (p < 0.05). Although the two units did not differ significantly with regard to the average maximum values, the single greatest value recorded in the NCCU (6 V/m GSM + UMTS 900 (UL) frequency band, in the staff area) was more than twice that recorded in the NICU (3.70 V/m in the UMTS 2100 (UL) frequency band, in the children's rooms). The NCCU and NICU did not differ significantly with regard to the time during which the RF-EMF level at each measurement point was more than two standard deviations above its mean. The RF-EMF level was significantly higher during the day than during the night (p < 0.001). The various medical devices used in the NICU did not emit detectable amounts of RF. Overall, RF-EMF levels in the NCCU and NICU were very low. It is probable that the RF-EMFs measured here were primarily generated by the parents' and staff members' activities, rather than by medical devices. However, a combination of low-level, chronic exposure with transient, elevated peak values in a vulnerable population of preterm neonates may be of particular concern. In a department of pediatrics, decreasing preterm neonates' exposure to RF-EMFs should primarily involve a limitation on the use of wireless communication devices by staff members and parents. 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 directionunclear

PopulationPreterm neonates in a tertiary department of pediatrics (NCCU and NICU); environmental measurements in staff areas and children's rooms

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF · 24-h measurements at 144 points; additional spot measurements in Faraday chamber

Evidence strengthInsufficientConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

RF-EMF levels were significantly higher in the NCCU than in the NICU (p < 0.05), and higher during the day than during the night (p < 0.001). The greatest recorded value was 6 V/m (GSM+UMTS 900 UL) in the NCCU staff area versus 3.70 V/m (UMTS 2100 UL) in NICU children's rooms; medical devices tested in the NICU did not emit detectable RF. Overall, measured RF-EMF levels in both units were described as very low and were attributed primarily to parents’ and staff members’ wireless device use rather than medical devices.

Outcomes measured

Environmental RF-EMF levels (V/m) in NCCU and NICU
Peak and average maximum RF-EMF values by unit and location
Day vs night RF-EMF levels
Detectable RF emissions from medical devices (Faraday chamber)

Limitations

Single-site study in one 34-bed tertiary pediatrics department
Frequency bands and metrics beyond those explicitly reported are not detailed in the abstract
No health outcomes assessed; exposure characterization only

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "exposure_assessment",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "wireless communication devices (mobile, DECT, WiFi) and medical devices (assessed)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "24-h measurements at 144 points; additional spot measurements in Faraday chamber"
  },
  "population": "Preterm neonates in a tertiary department of pediatrics (NCCU and NICU); environmental measurements in staff areas and children's rooms",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Environmental RF-EMF levels (V/m) in NCCU and NICU",
    "Peak and average maximum RF-EMF values by unit and location",
    "Day vs night RF-EMF levels",
    "Detectable RF emissions from medical devices (Faraday chamber)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "RF-EMF levels were significantly higher in the NCCU than in the NICU (p < 0.05), and higher during the day than during the night (p < 0.001). The greatest recorded value was 6 V/m (GSM+UMTS 900 UL) in the NCCU staff area versus 3.70 V/m (UMTS 2100 UL) in NICU children's rooms; medical devices tested in the NICU did not emit detectable RF. Overall, measured RF-EMF levels in both units were described as very low and were attributed primarily to parents’ and staff members’ wireless device use rather than medical devices.",
  "effect_direction": "unclear",
  "limitations": [
    "Single-site study in one 34-bed tertiary pediatrics department",
    "Frequency bands and metrics beyond those explicitly reported are not detailed in the abstract",
    "No health outcomes assessed; exposure characterization only"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "RF-EMF",
    "pediatrics",
    "neonatal critical care unit",
    "neonatal intensive care unit",
    "preterm neonates",
    "environmental measurements",
    "dosimeters",
    "GSM",
    "UMTS",
    "WiFi",
    "DECT",
    "Faraday chamber"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "school-wi-fi",
      "weight": 0.2,
      "reason": "WiFi networks mentioned as a potential source, though setting is a hospital neonatal unit rather than a school."
    },
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.35,
      "reason": "Measurements include staff areas and suggest staff device use as a primary RF-EMF source."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.108894
PubMed: Not supplied

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