High ambient radiofrequency radiation in Stockholm city, Sweden

2019 · Unclear · Insufficient evidence

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UnclearInsufficient evidencePaper 1905

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2019

Study typeexposure_assessment

Reported directionUnclear

Evidence ratingInsufficient

Abstract

High ambient radiofrequency radiation in Stockholm city, Sweden Carlberg M, Hedendahl L, Koppel T, Hardell L. High ambient radiofrequency radiation in Stockholm city, Sweden. Oncol Lett. 2019 Feb;17(2):1777-1783. doi: 10.3892/ol.2018.9789. Abstract We measured the radiofrequency (RF) radiation at central parts in Stockholm, Sweden in March and April 2017. The same measurement round tour was used each time. We used EME Spy 200 for the measurements as in our previous studies in Stockholm. The results were based on 11,482 entries, corresponding to more than 12 h measurements. The total mean level was 5,494 µW/m2 (median 3,346; range 36.6-205,155). The major contributions were down links from LTE 800 (4G), GSM + UMTS 900 (3G), GSM 1800 (2G), UMTS 2100 (3G) and LTE 2600 (4G). Regarding different places, the highest RF radiation was measured at the Hay Market with a mean level of 10,728 µW/m2 (median 8,578; range 335-68,815). This is a square used for shopping, and both retailers and visitors may spend considerable time at this place. Also, the Sergel Plaza had high radiation with a mean of 7,768 µW/m2. All measurements exceeded the target level of 30-60 µW/m2 based on non-thermal (no heating) effects, according to the BioInitiative Report. Based on short-term thermal effects, The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection established guideline 2 of 10 W/m2 (2,000,000-10,000,000 µW/m2) depending on frequency in 1998, and has not changed it despite solid evidence of non-thermal biological effects at substantially lower exposure levels. These environmental RF radiation levels are expected to increase with the introduction of 5G for wireless communication. 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 typeexposure_assessment

Effect directionunclear

PopulationNot supplied

Sample size11482

ExposureRF · March and April 2017; >12 h total measurements

Evidence strengthInsufficientConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

RF radiation was measured in central Stockholm (March–April 2017) using an EME Spy 200 with 11,482 entries (>12 h). The total mean level was 5,494 µW/m² (median 3,346; range 36.6–205,155), with major contributions from downlinks including LTE 800, GSM+UMTS 900, GSM 1800, UMTS 2100, and LTE 2600. The highest mean level was at the Hay Market (10,728 µW/m²) and Sergel Plaza also had high levels (mean 7,768 µW/m²).

Outcomes measured

Ambient RF radiation levels (µW/m²)
Contributions by mobile network downlinks (LTE/GSM/UMTS bands)
Location-specific RF levels in central Stockholm

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "exposure_assessment",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "ambient/environmental (urban)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "March and April 2017; >12 h total measurements"
  },
  "population": null,
  "sample_size": 11482,
  "outcomes": [
    "Ambient RF radiation levels (µW/m²)",
    "Contributions by mobile network downlinks (LTE/GSM/UMTS bands)",
    "Location-specific RF levels in central Stockholm"
  ],
  "main_findings": "RF radiation was measured in central Stockholm (March–April 2017) using an EME Spy 200 with 11,482 entries (>12 h). The total mean level was 5,494 µW/m² (median 3,346; range 36.6–205,155), with major contributions from downlinks including LTE 800, GSM+UMTS 900, GSM 1800, UMTS 2100, and LTE 2600. The highest mean level was at the Hay Market (10,728 µW/m²) and Sergel Plaza also had high levels (mean 7,768 µW/m²).",
  "effect_direction": "unclear",
  "limitations": [],
  "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "radiofrequency",
    "RF radiation",
    "ambient exposure",
    "Stockholm",
    "EME Spy 200",
    "LTE 800",
    "LTE 2600",
    "GSM 1800",
    "UMTS 2100",
    "downlink",
    "environmental measurements",
    "5G"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "5g-policy",
      "weight": 0.42,
      "reason": "Abstract discusses expected increases in environmental RF levels with introduction of 5G."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.3892/ol.2018.9789
PubMed: Not supplied

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