Radiofrequency exposure levels in Amsterdam schools

2017 · Unclear · Low evidence

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UnclearLow evidencePaper 2278

In measurements from 102 Amsterdam primary schools, GSM base stations (900 and 1800 MHz downlink) contributed the largest share of total average RF power density (38.0%), followed by DECT cordless phones (27.3%) and GSM mobile devices (11.1%). WiFi contribute…

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2017
Study typeexposure_assessment
Reported directionUnclear
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Radiofrequency exposure levels in Amsterdam schools van Wel L, Vermeulen R, van Eijsden M, Vrijkotte T, Kromhout H, Huss A. Radiofrequency exposure levels in Amsterdam schools. Bioelectromagnetics. 2017 Apr 25. doi: 10.1002/bem.22053. No Abstract ncbi.nlm.nih.gov This letter to the editor reports the results of RF exposure levels in 102 primary schools in Amsterdam. GSM base stations (900 + 1800 MHz downlink) provided the largest contribution to the total average RF power density (38.0%), followed by DECT cordless phones (27.3%) and GSM mobile devices (11.1%), Although WiFi contributed only 4.5% of the total average power density, the assessments were conducted after school so it was unlikely that any wireless laptops or tablets were being used at the time.

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
PopulationPrimary schools in Amsterdam (Netherlands)
Sample size102
ExposureRF
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In measurements from 102 Amsterdam primary schools, GSM base stations (900 and 1800 MHz downlink) contributed the largest share of total average RF power density (38.0%), followed by DECT cordless phones (27.3%) and GSM mobile devices (11.1%). WiFi contributed 4.5% of the total average power density; measurements were conducted after school, when wireless laptops/tablets were unlikely to be in use.

Outcomes measured

  • RF power density (total average)
  • Source contributions to total average RF power density (GSM base stations 900/1800 MHz downlink, DECT, GSM mobile devices, WiFi)

Limitations

  • Reported as a letter to the editor with no abstract available
  • Assessments were conducted after school, so WiFi use during school hours may not be represented
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "exposure_assessment",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "school environment (GSM base stations, DECT cordless phones, GSM mobile devices, WiFi)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Primary schools in Amsterdam (Netherlands)",
  "sample_size": 102,
  "outcomes": [
    "RF power density (total average)",
    "Source contributions to total average RF power density (GSM base stations 900/1800 MHz downlink, DECT, GSM mobile devices, WiFi)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In measurements from 102 Amsterdam primary schools, GSM base stations (900 and 1800 MHz downlink) contributed the largest share of total average RF power density (38.0%), followed by DECT cordless phones (27.3%) and GSM mobile devices (11.1%). WiFi contributed 4.5% of the total average power density; measurements were conducted after school, when wireless laptops/tablets were unlikely to be in use.",
  "effect_direction": "unclear",
  "limitations": [
    "Reported as a letter to the editor with no abstract available",
    "Assessments were conducted after school, so WiFi use during school hours may not be represented"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "radiofrequency",
    "exposure assessment",
    "schools",
    "Amsterdam",
    "power density",
    "GSM",
    "base stations",
    "DECT",
    "WiFi"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "school-wi-fi",
      "weight": 0.86,
      "reason": "RF exposure assessment conducted in primary schools; WiFi contribution discussed."
    }
  ]
}
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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: 10.1002/bem.22053
PubMed: Not supplied

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