Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Fields Exposure Assessment in Indoor Environments: A Review

2019 · Unclear · Low evidence

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UnclearLow evidencePaper 1852

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2019

Study typereview

Reported directionUnclear

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Fields Exposure Assessment in Indoor Environments: A Review Chiaramello E, Bonato M, Fiocchi S, Tognola G, Parazzini M, Ravazzani P, Wiart J. Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Fields Exposure Assessment in Indoor Environments: A Review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019 Mar 17;16(6). pii: E955. doi: 10.3390/ijerph16060955. Abstract Exposure to radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields (EMFs) in indoor environments depends on both outdoor sources such as radio, television and mobile phone antennas and indoor sources, such as mobile phones and wireless communications applications. Establishing the levels of exposure could be challenging due to differences in the approaches used in different studies. The goal of this study is to present an overview of the last ten years research efforts about RF EMF exposure in indoor environments, considering different RF-EMF sources found to cause exposure in indoor environments, different indoor environments and different approaches used to assess the exposure. The highest maximum mean levels of the exposure considering the whole RF-EMF frequency band was found in offices (1.14 V/m) and in public transports (0.97 V/m), while the lowest levels of exposure were observed in homes and apartments, with mean values in the range 0.13 - 0.43 V/m. The contribution of different RF-EMF sources to the total level of exposure was found to show slightly different patterns among the indoor environments, but this finding has to be considered as a time-dependent picture of the continuous evolving exposure to RF-EMF. Open access paper: mdpi.com

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 typereview

Effect directionunclear

PopulationNot supplied

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF · last ten years of research efforts (review scope)

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

This review summarizes the previous ten years of research on RF-EMF exposure assessment in indoor environments across sources, settings, and assessment approaches. The highest maximum mean exposure levels across the whole RF-EMF band were reported for offices (1.14 V/m) and public transport (0.97 V/m), while the lowest mean levels were observed in homes/apartments (0.13–0.43 V/m). Source contributions differed somewhat by indoor environment and were described as time-dependent due to evolving exposure patterns.

Outcomes measured

RF EMF exposure levels in indoor environments (e.g., mean electric field strength, V/m)
Contribution of different RF-EMF sources to total exposure by indoor environment

Limitations

Differences in approaches used across studies make establishing exposure levels challenging.
Patterns of source contributions are described as time-dependent due to continuously evolving RF-EMF exposure.

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "review",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "indoor environments (outdoor sources: radio/TV/mobile phone antennas; indoor sources: mobile phones and wireless communications applications)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "last ten years of research efforts (review scope)"
  },
  "population": null,
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "RF EMF exposure levels in indoor environments (e.g., mean electric field strength, V/m)",
    "Contribution of different RF-EMF sources to total exposure by indoor environment"
  ],
  "main_findings": "This review summarizes the previous ten years of research on RF-EMF exposure assessment in indoor environments across sources, settings, and assessment approaches. The highest maximum mean exposure levels across the whole RF-EMF band were reported for offices (1.14 V/m) and public transport (0.97 V/m), while the lowest mean levels were observed in homes/apartments (0.13–0.43 V/m). Source contributions differed somewhat by indoor environment and were described as time-dependent due to evolving exposure patterns.",
  "effect_direction": "unclear",
  "limitations": [
    "Differences in approaches used across studies make establishing exposure levels challenging.",
    "Patterns of source contributions are described as time-dependent due to continuously evolving RF-EMF exposure."
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "radiofrequency",
    "RF-EMF",
    "electromagnetic fields",
    "exposure assessment",
    "indoor environments",
    "offices",
    "public transport",
    "homes",
    "apartments",
    "wireless communications",
    "mobile phones",
    "antennas",
    "electric field strength",
    "V/m"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "exposure-assessment",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Review focused on methods/approaches and levels of RF-EMF exposure assessment in indoor environments."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.3390/ijerph16060955
PubMed: Not supplied

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