RF EMF exposure in everyday microenvironments in Europe: A systematic literature review

2017 · No effect · Moderate evidence

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No effectModerate evidencePaper 2372

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2017

Study typesystematic_review

Reported directionNo effect

Evidence ratingModerate

Abstract

RF EMF exposure in everyday microenvironments in Europe: A systematic literature review Sagar S, Dongus S, Schoeni A, Roser K, Eeftens M, Struchen B, Foerster M, Meier N, Adem S, Röösli M. Radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure in everyday microenvironments in Europe: A systematic literature review. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol. 2017 Aug 2. doi: 10.1038/jes.2017.13. Abstract The impact of the introduction and advancement in communication technology in recent years on exposure level of the population is largely unknown. The main aim of this study is to systematically review literature on the distribution of radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure in the everyday environment in Europe and summarize key characteristics of various types of RF-EMF studies conducted in the European countries. We systematically searched the ISI Web of Science for relevant literature published between 1 January 2000 and 30 April 2015, which assessed RF-EMF exposure levels by any of the methods: spot measurements, personal measurement with trained researchers and personal measurement with volunteers. Twenty-one published studies met our eligibility criteria of which 10 were spot measurements studies, 5 were personal measurement studies with trained researchers (microenvironmental), 5 were personal measurement studies with volunteers and 1 was a mixed methods study combining data collected by volunteers and trained researchers. RF-EMF data included in the studies were collected between 2005 and 2013. The mean total RF- EMF exposure for spot measurements in European "Homes" and "Outdoor" microenvironments was 0.29 and 0.54 V/m, respectively. In the personal measurements studies with trained researchers, the mean total RF-EMF exposure was 0.24 V/m in "Home" and 0.76 V/m in "Outdoor". In the personal measurement studies with volunteers, the population weighted mean total RF-EMF exposure was 0.16 V/m in "Homes" and 0.20 V/m in "Outdoor". Among all European microenvironments in "Transportation", the highest mean total RF-EMF 1.96 V/m was found in trains of Belgium during 2007 where more than 95% of exposure was contributed by uplink. Typical RF-EMF exposure levels are substantially below regulatory limits. We found considerable differences between studies according to the type of measurements procedures, which precludes cross-country comparison or evaluating temporal trends. A comparable RF-EMF monitoring concept is needed to accurately identify typical RF-EMF exposure levels in the everyday environment. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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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 typesystematic_review

Effect directionno_effect

PopulationGeneral population in everyday microenvironments in Europe (including volunteers in some studies)

Sample size21

ExposureRF · data collected 2005–2013; literature search 1 Jan 2000–30 Apr 2015

Evidence strengthModerateConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Twenty-one European studies (2005–2013 data) were included: 10 spot measurement, 5 personal measurements with trained researchers, 5 personal measurements with volunteers, and 1 mixed-methods. Mean total RF-EMF exposure levels were reported for homes and outdoor settings across methods (e.g., spot: 0.29 V/m homes, 0.54 V/m outdoor; trained researchers: 0.24 V/m homes, 0.76 V/m outdoor; volunteers: 0.16 V/m homes, 0.20 V/m outdoor). The highest mean total exposure reported was 1.96 V/m in trains in Belgium (2007), with >95% attributed to uplink; typical exposure levels were stated to be substantially below regulatory limits, but methodological differences limited cross-country comparisons and temporal trend evaluation.

Outcomes measured

RF-EMF exposure levels (V/m) in microenvironments (e.g., homes, outdoor, transportation)
Contribution of uplink to exposure (in trains, Belgium, 2007)
Comparison of measurement approaches (spot vs personal with trained researchers vs volunteers)

Limitations

Considerable differences between studies in measurement procedures, limiting cross-country comparison and evaluation of temporal trends
Impact of recent communication technology advancements on population exposure described as largely unknown

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "systematic_review",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "everyday microenvironments (spot and personal measurements)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "data collected 2005–2013; literature search 1 Jan 2000–30 Apr 2015"
  },
  "population": "General population in everyday microenvironments in Europe (including volunteers in some studies)",
  "sample_size": 21,
  "outcomes": [
    "RF-EMF exposure levels (V/m) in microenvironments (e.g., homes, outdoor, transportation)",
    "Contribution of uplink to exposure (in trains, Belgium, 2007)",
    "Comparison of measurement approaches (spot vs personal with trained researchers vs volunteers)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Twenty-one European studies (2005–2013 data) were included: 10 spot measurement, 5 personal measurements with trained researchers, 5 personal measurements with volunteers, and 1 mixed-methods. Mean total RF-EMF exposure levels were reported for homes and outdoor settings across methods (e.g., spot: 0.29 V/m homes, 0.54 V/m outdoor; trained researchers: 0.24 V/m homes, 0.76 V/m outdoor; volunteers: 0.16 V/m homes, 0.20 V/m outdoor). The highest mean total exposure reported was 1.96 V/m in trains in Belgium (2007), with >95% attributed to uplink; typical exposure levels were stated to be substantially below regulatory limits, but methodological differences limited cross-country comparisons and temporal trend evaluation.",
  "effect_direction": "no_effect",
  "limitations": [
    "Considerable differences between studies in measurement procedures, limiting cross-country comparison and evaluation of temporal trends",
    "Impact of recent communication technology advancements on population exposure described as largely unknown"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "moderate",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "RF-EMF",
    "radiofrequency electromagnetic fields",
    "exposure assessment",
    "microenvironments",
    "Europe",
    "spot measurements",
    "personal measurements",
    "uplink",
    "transportation",
    "homes",
    "outdoor"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "exposure-assessment",
      "weight": 0.95,
      "reason": "Systematic review of RF-EMF exposure measurement methods and levels in everyday microenvironments."
    },
    {
      "slug": "europe",
      "weight": 0.7,
      "reason": "Focus on studies conducted in European countries."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.1038/jes.2017.13
PubMed: Not supplied

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