Absorption of wireless radiation in the child versus adult brain and eye from cell phone conversation or virtual reality

Environ Res · 2018 · Harm · Moderate evidence

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HarmModerate evidencePaper 2083

Children absorb two- to three-fold higher localized RF radiation doses in brain regions and eyes compared to adults when using cell phones or virtual reality devices. Current regulatory testing methods based on adult models underestimate exposure in children.…

Study snapshot

PublicationEnviron Res · 2018

Study typeexposure_assessment

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingModerate

Abstract

Wireless radiation absorption in child vs adult brain & eye from cell phone conversation or virtual reality Fernandez C, de Salles AA, Sears ME, Morris RD, Davis DL. Absorption of wireless radiation in the child versus adult brain and eye from cell phone conversation or virtual reality. Environmental Research. Jun 5, 2018. doi.org Highlights • More cell phone radiation is absorbed by children's inner brain tissues than adults'. • Children's radiofrequency radiation exposure should be reduced. • Further research to evaluate the risks to the eye from use of VR is urgently needed. • It is biologically relevant and feasible to reduce the standards' averaging volume. • Current methods to determine wireless device compliance should be revised. Abstract Children's brains are more susceptible to hazardous exposures, and are thought to absorb higher doses of radiation from cell phones in some regions of the brain. Globally the numbers and applications of wireless devices are increasing rapidly, but since 1997 safety testing has relied on a large, homogenous, adult male head phantom to simulate exposures; the "Standard Anthropomorphic Mannequin" (SAM) is used to estimate only whether tissue temperature will be increased by more than 1 Celsius degree in the periphery. The present work employs anatomically based modeling currently used to set standards for surgical and medical devices, that incorporates heterogeneous characteristics of age and anatomy. Modeling of a cell phone held to the ear, or of virtual reality devices in front of the eyes, reveals that young eyes and brains absorb substantially higher local radiation doses than adults'. Age-specific simulations indicate the need to apply refined methods for regulatory compliance testing; and for public education regarding manufacturers' advice to keep phones off the body, and prudent use to limit exposures, particularly to protect the young. Excerpts In summary, compared with adult models, children experience two- to three-fold higher RF doses to: 1) localized areas of the brain when a cell phone is positioned next to the ear; and 2) the eyes and frontal lobe when a cell phone is used to view virtual reality. These findings raise serious questions about the current approach to certify cell phones; particularly the use of the SAM. Our modeling demonstrates clearly that localized psSAR varies significantly for critical components of the brain. Younger models absorb proportionally more radiation in the eyes and brain - grey matter, cerebellum and hippocampus-and the local dose rate varies inversely with age. This reflects the fact that the head is not homogeneous. Indeed, localized heating up to 5 Centigrade degrees has been detected as a result of mobile phone radiation studied ex vivo in cow brain using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance thermometry (Gultekin and Moeller, 2013). Our findings support reexamination of methods to determine regulatory compliance for wireless devices, and highlight the importance of precautionary advice such as that of American Academy of Pediatrics (2016). The Academy recommends that younger children should not use cell phones, and that prudent measures should be taken to eliminate exposure (e.g. using devices for amusement or education only when all wireless features are turned off - in "airplane mode") or to minimize exposure (e.g. texting or using speakerphone), and that cell phones should not be kept next to the body. Use of wires/cables in schools and homes circumvents needless exposures of children to radiation from both devices and Wi-Fi routers. There is also an urgent need for research to evaluate the risks to the eye from use of cell phones in virtual reality applications. sciencedirect.com Evidence: High Children absorb of to 3x more radiation

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

Populationchildren and adults

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF

Evidence strengthModerateConfidence: 70% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

localized RF radiation absorption in brain and eye tissues

Limitations

Modeling study, not direct measurement in humans
No direct health outcome assessment
Unclear generalizability to all device types and usage patterns

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "exposure_assessment",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "cell phone, virtual reality device",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "children and adults",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "localized RF radiation absorption in brain and eye tissues"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Children absorb two- to three-fold higher localized RF radiation doses in brain regions and eyes compared to adults when using cell phones or virtual reality devices. Current regulatory testing methods based on adult models underestimate exposure in children. Precautionary measures to reduce children's exposure are recommended.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Modeling study, not direct measurement in humans",
    "No direct health outcome assessment",
    "Unclear generalizability to all device types and usage patterns"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "moderate",
  "confidence": 0.7,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "radiofrequency radiation",
    "children",
    "brain absorption",
    "eye absorption",
    "cell phone",
    "virtual reality",
    "exposure assessment",
    "SAR",
    "regulatory standards"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "children-exposure",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Focus on higher radiation absorption in children compared to adults."
    },
    {
      "slug": "5g-policy",
      "weight": 0.5,
      "reason": "Implications for regulatory compliance and safety standards for wireless devices."
    }
  ]
}

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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.2018.05.013
PubMed: Not supplied

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