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Volume-averaged SAR in adult and child head models when using mobile phones: a computational study with detailed CAD-based models of commercial mobile phones.

Progress in biophysics and molecular biology · 2011 · No effect · Low evidence

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No effectLow evidencePaper 4436

Using CAD-based models of two commercial mobile phones and four MRI-based head phantoms, simulated SAR distributions depended strongly on the antenna and phone model. From a volume-averaged SAR perspective, no systematic differences between child and adult he…

Study snapshot

PublicationProgress in biophysics and molecular biology · 2011
Study typeexposure_assessment
Reported directionNo effect
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Previous studies comparing SAR difference in the head of children and adults used highly simplified generic models or half-wave dipole antennas. The objective of this study was to investigate the SAR difference in the head of children and adults using realistic EMF sources based on CAD models of commercial mobile phones. Four MRI-based head phantoms were used in the study. CAD models of Nokia 8310 and 6630 mobile phones were used as exposure sources. Commercially available FDTD software was used for the SAR calculations. SAR values were simulated at frequencies 900 MHz and 1747 MHz for Nokia 8310, and 900 MHz, 1747 MHz and 1950 MHz for Nokia 6630. The main finding of this study was that the SAR distribution/variation in the head models highly depends on the structure of the antenna and phone model, which suggests that the type of the exposure source is the main parameter in EMF exposure studies to be focused on. Although the previous findings regarding significant role of the anatomy of the head, phone position, frequency, local tissue inhomogeneity and tissue composition specifically in the exposed area on SAR difference were confirmed, the SAR values and SAR distributions caused by generic source models cannot be extrapolated to the real device exposures. The general conclusion is that from a volume averaged SAR point of view, no systematic differences between child and adult heads were found.

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 directionno_effect
PopulationAdult and child head models (MRI-based head phantoms)
Sample size4
ExposureRF
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Using CAD-based models of two commercial mobile phones and four MRI-based head phantoms, simulated SAR distributions depended strongly on the antenna and phone model. From a volume-averaged SAR perspective, no systematic differences between child and adult head models were found; generic source models were not considered extrapolatable to real device exposures.

Outcomes measured

  • Volume-averaged SAR in head models
  • SAR distribution/variation in head models
  • Child vs adult SAR differences

Limitations

  • Computational/simulation study using head phantoms rather than measurements in humans
  • Only two phone models (Nokia 8310 and 6630) were modeled
  • Results focused on volume-averaged SAR; other SAR metrics may differ
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "exposure_assessment",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Adult and child head models (MRI-based head phantoms)",
  "sample_size": 4,
  "outcomes": [
    "Volume-averaged SAR in head models",
    "SAR distribution/variation in head models",
    "Child vs adult SAR differences"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Using CAD-based models of two commercial mobile phones and four MRI-based head phantoms, simulated SAR distributions depended strongly on the antenna and phone model. From a volume-averaged SAR perspective, no systematic differences between child and adult head models were found; generic source models were not considered extrapolatable to real device exposures.",
  "effect_direction": "no_effect",
  "limitations": [
    "Computational/simulation study using head phantoms rather than measurements in humans",
    "Only two phone models (Nokia 8310 and 6630) were modeled",
    "Results focused on volume-averaged SAR; other SAR metrics may differ"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "specific absorption rate",
    "SAR",
    "FDTD",
    "CAD model",
    "mobile phone",
    "child",
    "adult",
    "head model",
    "900 MHz",
    "1747 MHz",
    "1950 MHz"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "who-icnirp",
      "weight": 0.35,
      "reason": "Study concerns SAR assessment relevant to RF exposure compliance/assessment frameworks."
    }
  ]
}
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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.pbiomolbio.2011.10.001
PubMed: 22005524

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