RF Safe

Temporal and spatial variability of personal exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic fields.

Environmental research · 2009 · Unclear · Insufficient evidence

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UnclearInsufficient evidencePaper 4956

Mean weekly exposure to all RF-EMF sources was 0.13 mW/m^2 (0.22 V/m), with individual mean range 0.014–0.881 mW/m^2. Main contributors were mobile phone base stations (32.0%), mobile phone handsets (29.1%), and DECT phones (22.7%); exposures were higher amon…

Study snapshot

PublicationEnvironmental research · 2009
Study typeexposure_assessment
Reported directionUnclear
Evidence ratingInsufficient

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the population's exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) in industrialized countries. OBJECTIVES: To examine levels of exposure and the importance of different RF-EMF sources and settings in a sample of volunteers living in a Swiss city. METHODS: RF-EMF exposure of 166 volunteers from Basel, Switzerland, was measured with personal exposure meters (exposimeters). Participants carried an exposimeter for 1 week (two separate weeks in 32 participants) and completed an activity diary. Mean values were calculated using the robust regression on order statistics (ROS) method. RESULTS: Mean weekly exposure to all RF-EMF sources was 0.13 mW/m(2) (0.22 V/m) (range of individual means 0.014-0.881 mW/m(2)). Exposure was mainly due to mobile phone base stations (32.0%), mobile phone handsets (29.1%) and digital enhanced cordless telecommunications (DECT) phones (22.7%). Persons owning a DECT phone (total mean 0.15 mW/m(2)) or mobile phone (0.14 mW/m(2)) were exposed more than those not owning a DECT or mobile phone (0.10 mW/m(2)). Mean values were highest in trains (1.16 mW/m(2)), airports (0.74 mW/m(2)) and tramways or buses (0.36 mW/m(2)), and higher during daytime (0.16 mW/m(2)) than nighttime (0.08 mW/m(2)). The Spearman correlation coefficient between mean exposure in the first and second week was 0.61. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to RF-EMF varied considerably between persons and locations but was fairly consistent within persons. Mobile phone handsets, mobile phone base stations and cordless phones were important sources of exposure in urban Switzerland.

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AI evidence extraction

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Study typeexposure_assessment
Effect directionunclear
Population166 volunteers living in Basel, Switzerland
Sample size166
ExposureRF · 1 week (two separate weeks in 32 participants)
Evidence strengthInsufficientConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Mean weekly exposure to all RF-EMF sources was 0.13 mW/m^2 (0.22 V/m), with individual mean range 0.014–0.881 mW/m^2. Main contributors were mobile phone base stations (32.0%), mobile phone handsets (29.1%), and DECT phones (22.7%); exposures were higher among DECT or mobile phone owners than non-owners. Mean values were highest in trains (1.16 mW/m^2) and airports (0.74 mW/m^2), higher in daytime (0.16 mW/m^2) than nighttime (0.08 mW/m^2), and the correlation between first and second week mean exposure was 0.61.

Outcomes measured

  • Personal RF-EMF exposure levels (mean weekly exposure; mW/m^2 and V/m)
  • Contribution of different RF-EMF sources to total exposure
  • Exposure by setting/location (e.g., trains, airports, tramways/buses)
  • Exposure by time of day (daytime vs nighttime)
  • Within-person temporal consistency (Spearman correlation between weeks)
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "exposure_assessment",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "personal exposure (multiple sources: mobile phone base stations, mobile phone handsets, DECT phones; settings include public transport/airports)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "1 week (two separate weeks in 32 participants)"
  },
  "population": "166 volunteers living in Basel, Switzerland",
  "sample_size": 166,
  "outcomes": [
    "Personal RF-EMF exposure levels (mean weekly exposure; mW/m^2 and V/m)",
    "Contribution of different RF-EMF sources to total exposure",
    "Exposure by setting/location (e.g., trains, airports, tramways/buses)",
    "Exposure by time of day (daytime vs nighttime)",
    "Within-person temporal consistency (Spearman correlation between weeks)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Mean weekly exposure to all RF-EMF sources was 0.13 mW/m^2 (0.22 V/m), with individual mean range 0.014–0.881 mW/m^2. Main contributors were mobile phone base stations (32.0%), mobile phone handsets (29.1%), and DECT phones (22.7%); exposures were higher among DECT or mobile phone owners than non-owners. Mean values were highest in trains (1.16 mW/m^2) and airports (0.74 mW/m^2), higher in daytime (0.16 mW/m^2) than nighttime (0.08 mW/m^2), and the correlation between first and second week mean exposure was 0.61.",
  "effect_direction": "unclear",
  "limitations": [],
  "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "RF-EMF",
    "personal exposure meter",
    "exposimeter",
    "DECT",
    "mobile phone handset",
    "mobile phone base station",
    "urban exposure",
    "transport settings",
    "temporal variability",
    "spatial variability",
    "Switzerland",
    "Basel"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.2,
      "reason": "Includes exposure by settings such as trains/airports, but not explicitly occupational; relevance is limited."
    }
  ]
}
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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.2009.04.015
PubMed: 19476932

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