RF Safe

RF-EMF exposure assessment with add-on uplink exposure sensor in different microenvironments in seven European countries

Environment International · 2025 · Unclear · Insufficient evidence

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UnclearInsufficient evidencePaper 2688

A new add-on smartphone-attached sensor was used to quantify auto-induced uplink transmission power over a 100–6000 MHz broadband range across microenvironments in seven European countries. Lowest median power was observed in non-user scenarios (-2.64 dBm; 0.…

Study snapshot

PublicationEnvironment International · 2025
Study typeexposure_assessment
Reported directionUnclear
Evidence ratingInsufficient

Abstract

Category: Exposure Assessment Tags: RF-EMF, exposure assessment, 5G, uplink, sensor, microenvironments, Europe DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2025.109368 URL: sciencedirect.com Overview This study introduces a new, cost-efficient, and low-complexity sensor for measuring radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure, designed to address the limitations of current bulky and expensive devices for monitoring personal exposure from emerging 5G New Radio (NR) technology. The sensor enables measurement of RF-EMF exposure in diverse data transmission scenarios in various microenvironments. Methods - Activity-based microenvironmental surveys were performed in seven European countries: Belgium, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. - The device, attached to a smartphone, quantifies auto-induced uplink (a-UL) transmission within the 100 MHz to 6000 MHz broadband frequency range. - Three scenarios were evaluated: non-user (environmental exposure), maximum downlink, and maximum uplink, in cities and rural villages across the countries. Findings - Lowest power levels were observed in non-user scenarios (median: -2.64 dBm or 0.54 mW). - Maximum downlink and maximum uplink scenarios showed increases of 5.00 dB and 14.15 dB, respectively, relative to non-user scenarios. - Highest median a-UL power in uplink: 18.68 dBm (73.79 mW) in The Netherlands; lowest: 4.77 dBm (3 mW) in the UK. - Median power in cities was 2.72 dB lower than in villages. - Outdoor areas had the lowest a-UL median power (12.35 dBm), with power increasing 1.78 dB and 1.91 dB in public transport and public places, respectively. Conclusion The study provides detailed comparisons of RF-EMF power levels by country, urbanization, and usage scenario, relevant for future epidemiological investigations into EMF health impacts. The new add-on sensor mapped exposure differences and highlighted general trends, such as higher exposures during active device use and notable disparities between locations and usage contexts. Future Directions - Comparisons with other measurement devices and phone apps (e.g., QualiPoc, ExpoM - RF4) are planned for validation. - Incorporation of GPS data aims to analyze correlations with base station proximity and explore temporal trends as 5G deployment progresses. - This information strengthens the basis for evaluating possible health risks associated with varying EMF exposures.

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 sizeNot supplied
ExposureRF
Evidence strengthInsufficientConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

A new add-on smartphone-attached sensor was used to quantify auto-induced uplink transmission power over a 100–6000 MHz broadband range across microenvironments in seven European countries. Lowest median power was observed in non-user scenarios (-2.64 dBm; 0.54 mW), while maximum downlink and maximum uplink scenarios increased by 5.00 dB and 14.15 dB relative to non-user. Median a-UL power varied by country (e.g., 18.68 dBm in the Netherlands vs 4.77 dBm in the UK), was 2.72 dB lower in cities than villages, and was lowest outdoors (12.35 dBm) with higher levels in public transport and public places.

Outcomes measured

  • Auto-induced uplink (a-UL) transmission power levels (dBm/mW) across scenarios and microenvironments

Limitations

  • No sample size reported in the provided abstract/metadata.
  • Validation against other devices/apps is described as planned rather than completed in the provided abstract/metadata.
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "exposure_assessment",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone (uplink)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": null,
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Auto-induced uplink (a-UL) transmission power levels (dBm/mW) across scenarios and microenvironments"
  ],
  "main_findings": "A new add-on smartphone-attached sensor was used to quantify auto-induced uplink transmission power over a 100–6000 MHz broadband range across microenvironments in seven European countries. Lowest median power was observed in non-user scenarios (-2.64 dBm; 0.54 mW), while maximum downlink and maximum uplink scenarios increased by 5.00 dB and 14.15 dB relative to non-user. Median a-UL power varied by country (e.g., 18.68 dBm in the Netherlands vs 4.77 dBm in the UK), was 2.72 dB lower in cities than villages, and was lowest outdoors (12.35 dBm) with higher levels in public transport and public places.",
  "effect_direction": "unclear",
  "limitations": [
    "No sample size reported in the provided abstract/metadata.",
    "Validation against other devices/apps is described as planned rather than completed in the provided abstract/metadata."
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "RF-EMF",
    "exposure assessment",
    "5G",
    "New Radio (NR)",
    "uplink",
    "sensor",
    "microenvironments",
    "Europe",
    "smartphone-attached device",
    "auto-induced uplink"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.1,
      "reason": "Includes measurements in public transport/public places and multiple microenvironments, but no explicit occupational population described."
    }
  ]
}
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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.envint.2025.109368
PubMed: Not supplied

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