RF Safe

The pattern of the electromagnetic field emitted by mobile phones in motor vehicle driving simulators.

International journal of occupational medicine and environmental health · 2013 · Unclear · Insufficient evidence

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UnclearInsufficient evidencePaper 4584

With phone power set to maximum (49 mW) and placed close to the driver’s head, the maximum measured electric field strength was 27 V/m near the head. With the same power and the phone on the dashboard, the maximum measured value was 15.2 V/m near the driver’s…

Study snapshot

PublicationInternational journal of occupational medicine and environmental health · 2013
Study typeexposure_assessment
Reported directionUnclear
Evidence ratingInsufficient

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The paper reports the results of the determinations of UMTS EMF distributions in the driver’s cab of motor vehicle simulators. The results will serve as the basis for future research on the influence of EMF emitted by mobile phones on driver physiology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two motor vehicle driving simulators were monitored, while an EMF source was placed at the driver's head or on the dashboard of the motor vehicle driving simulator. For every applied configuration, the maximal electric field strength was measured, as were the values at 16 points corresponding to chosen locations on a driver's or passenger's body. RESULTS: When the power was set for the maximum (49 mW), a value of 27 V/m was measured in the vicinity of the driver's head when the phone was close to the head. With the same power, when the phone was placed on the dashboard, the measured maximum was 15.2 V/m in the vicinity of the driver's foot. Similar results were obtained for the passenger. Significant perturbations in EMF distribution and an increase in electric field strength values in the mo-tor vehicle driving simulator were also observed in comparison to free space measurements, and the electric field strength was up to 3 times higher inside the simulator. CONCLUSIONS: This study can act as the basis of future studies concerning the influence of the EMF emitted by mobile phones on the physiology of the driver. Additionally, the authors postulate that it is advisable to keep mobile phones at a distance from the head, i.e. use, whenever possible, hands-free kits to reduce EMF exposure, both for drivers and passengers.

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

With phone power set to maximum (49 mW) and placed close to the driver’s head, the maximum measured electric field strength was 27 V/m near the head. With the same power and the phone on the dashboard, the maximum measured value was 15.2 V/m near the driver’s foot; similar results were reported for the passenger. Electric field strength inside the simulator was reported to be up to 3 times higher than in free space measurements, with significant perturbations in EMF distribution.

Outcomes measured

  • Electric field strength (V/m) distribution in driver’s cab of motor vehicle driving simulators
  • Maximum electric field strength at driver/passenger body-relevant points
  • Comparison of simulator vs free space electric field strength

Limitations

  • Frequency not reported in abstract (UMTS stated but no specific MHz given)
  • Sample size and measurement instrumentation/method details not provided in abstract
  • Study measures field distribution/exposure only; no health or physiological outcomes assessed
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "exposure_assessment",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone (UMTS) in motor vehicle driving simulator",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": null,
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Electric field strength (V/m) distribution in driver’s cab of motor vehicle driving simulators",
    "Maximum electric field strength at driver/passenger body-relevant points",
    "Comparison of simulator vs free space electric field strength"
  ],
  "main_findings": "With phone power set to maximum (49 mW) and placed close to the driver’s head, the maximum measured electric field strength was 27 V/m near the head. With the same power and the phone on the dashboard, the maximum measured value was 15.2 V/m near the driver’s foot; similar results were reported for the passenger. Electric field strength inside the simulator was reported to be up to 3 times higher than in free space measurements, with significant perturbations in EMF distribution.",
  "effect_direction": "unclear",
  "limitations": [
    "Frequency not reported in abstract (UMTS stated but no specific MHz given)",
    "Sample size and measurement instrumentation/method details not provided in abstract",
    "Study measures field distribution/exposure only; no health or physiological outcomes assessed"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "UMTS",
    "RF EMF",
    "mobile phone",
    "driving simulator",
    "driver cab",
    "electric field strength",
    "exposure assessment",
    "hands-free"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.55,
      "reason": "Exposure measurements in a driver’s cab setting relevant to work/driving environments."
    }
  ]
}
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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: 10.2478/s13382-013-0120-4
PubMed: 23959688

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