Temporal trends of radio-frequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure in everyday environments across European cities.

Environmental research · 2014 · Unclear · Moderate evidence

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UnclearModerate evidencePaper 4671

Study snapshot

PublicationEnvironmental research · 2014

Study typeexposure_assessment

Reported directionUnclear

Evidence ratingModerate

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The rapid development and increased use of wireless telecommunication technologies led to a substantial change of radio-frequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure in the general population but little is known about temporal trends of RF-EMF in our everyday environment. OBJECTIVES: The objective of our study is to evaluate temporal trends of RF-EMF exposure levels in different microenvironments of three European cities using a common measurement protocol. METHODS: We performed measurements in the cities of Basel (Switzerland), Ghent and Brussels (Belgium) during one year, between April 2011 and March 2012. RF-EMF exposure in 11 different frequency bands ranging from FM (Frequency Modulation, 88 MHz) to WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network, 2.5 GHz) was quantified with portable measurement devices (exposimeters) in various microenvironments: outdoor areas (residential areas, downtown and suburb), public transports (train, bus and tram or metro rides) and indoor places (airport, railway station and shopping centers). Measurements were collected every 4s during 10-50 min per environment and measurement day. Linear temporal trends were analyzed by mixed linear regression models. RESULTS: Highest total RF-EMF exposure levels occurred in public transports (all public transports combined) with arithmetic mean values of 0.84 V/m in Brussels, 0.72 V/m in Ghent, and 0.59 V/m in Basel. In all outdoor areas combined, mean exposure levels were 0.41 V/m in Brussels, 0.31 V/m in Ghent and 0.26 V/m in Basel. Within one year, total RF-EMF exposure levels in all outdoor areas in combination increased by 57.1% (p<0.001) in Basel by 20.1% in Ghent (p=0.053) and by 38.2% (p=0.012) in Brussels. Exposure increase was most consistently observed in outdoor areas due to emissions from mobile phone base stations. In public transports RF-EMF levels tended also to increase but mostly without statistical significance. DISCUSSION: An increase of RF-EMF exposure levels has been observed between April 2011 and March 2012 in various microenvironments of three European cities. Nevertheless, exposure levels were still far below regulatory limits of each country. A continuous monitoring is needed to identify high exposure areas and to anticipate critical development of RF-EMF exposure at public places.

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

PopulationGeneral population environments in Basel (Switzerland), Ghent and Brussels (Belgium)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF · Measurements over one year (Apr 2011–Mar 2012); sampling every 4 s during 10–50 min per environment/day

Evidence strengthModerateConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Highest total RF-EMF exposure occurred in public transports (arithmetic mean: 0.84 V/m Brussels, 0.72 V/m Ghent, 0.59 V/m Basel). Outdoor areas had lower mean exposure (0.41 V/m Brussels, 0.31 V/m Ghent, 0.26 V/m Basel). Over one year, total RF-EMF exposure in outdoor areas increased by 57.1% in Basel (p<0.001), 20.1% in Ghent (p=0.053), and 38.2% in Brussels (p=0.012), with increases most consistently attributed to emissions from mobile phone base stations; public transport levels tended to increase but mostly not significantly. Exposure levels were reported as far below national regulatory limits.

Outcomes measured

RF-EMF exposure levels (V/m) across microenvironments
Temporal trends in total RF-EMF exposure levels
Frequency-band-specific contributions (11 bands from FM 88 MHz to WLAN 2.5 GHz)

Limitations

Study covers only one year (Apr 2011–Mar 2012)
Only three European cities were measured
Measurement durations per environment/day were limited (10–50 min)
Sample size/number of measurement days not reported in abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "exposure_assessment",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "everyday environments (including mobile phone base stations, public transport, WLAN)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "Measurements over one year (Apr 2011–Mar 2012); sampling every 4 s during 10–50 min per environment/day"
  },
  "population": "General population environments in Basel (Switzerland), Ghent and Brussels (Belgium)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "RF-EMF exposure levels (V/m) across microenvironments",
    "Temporal trends in total RF-EMF exposure levels",
    "Frequency-band-specific contributions (11 bands from FM 88 MHz to WLAN 2.5 GHz)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Highest total RF-EMF exposure occurred in public transports (arithmetic mean: 0.84 V/m Brussels, 0.72 V/m Ghent, 0.59 V/m Basel). Outdoor areas had lower mean exposure (0.41 V/m Brussels, 0.31 V/m Ghent, 0.26 V/m Basel). Over one year, total RF-EMF exposure in outdoor areas increased by 57.1% in Basel (p<0.001), 20.1% in Ghent (p=0.053), and 38.2% in Brussels (p=0.012), with increases most consistently attributed to emissions from mobile phone base stations; public transport levels tended to increase but mostly not significantly. Exposure levels were reported as far below national regulatory limits.",
  "effect_direction": "unclear",
  "limitations": [
    "Study covers only one year (Apr 2011–Mar 2012)",
    "Only three European cities were measured",
    "Measurement durations per environment/day were limited (10–50 min)",
    "Sample size/number of measurement days not reported in abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "moderate",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "RF-EMF",
    "exposure assessment",
    "temporal trends",
    "exposimeter",
    "microenvironments",
    "public transport",
    "outdoor areas",
    "base stations",
    "WLAN",
    "European cities",
    "V/m"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.1,
      "reason": "Includes measurements in public transport and public places, but not specifically occupational; weak match."
    }
  ]
}

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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.envres.2014.07.003
PubMed: 25127524

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