Comparison of radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure levels in different everyday microenvironments in an international context.

Environment international · 2018 · Unclear · Insufficient evidence

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UnclearInsufficient evidencePaper 5550

Study snapshot

PublicationEnvironment international · 2018

Study typeexposure_assessment

Reported directionUnclear

Evidence ratingInsufficient

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to quantify RF-EMF exposure applying a tested protocol of RF-EMF exposure measurements using portable devices with a high sampling rate in different microenvironments of Switzerland, Ethiopia, Nepal, South Africa, Australia and the United States of America. METHOD: We used portable measurement devices for assessing RF-EMF exposure in 94 outdoor microenvironments and 18 public transport vehicles. The measurements were taken either by walking with a backpack with the devices at the height of the head and a distance of 20-30 cm from the body, or driving a car with the devices mounted on its roof, which was 170-180 cm above the ground. The measurements were taken for about 30 min while walking and about 15-20 min while driving in each microenvironment, with a sampling rate of once every 4 s (ExpoM-RF) and 5 s (EME Spy 201). RESULTS: Mean total RF-EMF exposure in various outdoor microenvironments varied between 0.23 V/m (non-central residential area in Switzerland) and 1.85 V/m (university area in Australia), and across modes of public transport between 0.32 V/m (bus in rural area in Switzerland) and 0.86 V/m (Auto rickshaw in urban area in Nepal). For most outdoor areas the major exposure contribution was from mobile phone base stations. Otherwise broadcasting was dominant. Uplink from mobile phone handsets was generally very small, except in Swiss trains and some Swiss buses. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates high RF-EMF variability between the 94 selected microenvironments from all over the world. Exposure levels tended to increase with increasing urbanity. In most microenvironments downlink from mobile phone base stations is the most relevant contributor.

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 · ~30 min per walking measurement; ~15–20 min per driving measurement; sampling every 4 s (ExpoM-RF) and 5 s (EME Spy 201)

Evidence strengthInsufficientConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Mean total RF-EMF exposure across outdoor microenvironments ranged from 0.23 V/m (non-central residential area in Switzerland) to 1.85 V/m (university area in Australia). Across public transport modes, mean exposure ranged from 0.32 V/m (bus in rural Switzerland) to 0.86 V/m (auto rickshaw in urban Nepal). For most outdoor areas, the major contribution was from mobile phone base stations; broadcasting dominated in other settings, and handset uplink was generally small except in Swiss trains and some Swiss buses.

Outcomes measured

RF-EMF exposure levels (V/m) in outdoor microenvironments and public transport
Relative contribution by source (base station downlink, broadcasting, handset uplink)

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "exposure_assessment",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "environmental microenvironments (outdoor areas, public transport); mainly mobile phone base stations (downlink) and broadcasting; minor handset uplink in some transport",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "~30 min per walking measurement; ~15–20 min per driving measurement; sampling every 4 s (ExpoM-RF) and 5 s (EME Spy 201)"
  },
  "population": null,
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "RF-EMF exposure levels (V/m) in outdoor microenvironments and public transport",
    "Relative contribution by source (base station downlink, broadcasting, handset uplink)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Mean total RF-EMF exposure across outdoor microenvironments ranged from 0.23 V/m (non-central residential area in Switzerland) to 1.85 V/m (university area in Australia). Across public transport modes, mean exposure ranged from 0.32 V/m (bus in rural Switzerland) to 0.86 V/m (auto rickshaw in urban Nepal). For most outdoor areas, the major contribution was from mobile phone base stations; broadcasting dominated in other settings, and handset uplink was generally small except in Swiss trains and some Swiss buses.",
  "effect_direction": "unclear",
  "limitations": [],
  "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "RF-EMF",
    "radiofrequency",
    "exposure assessment",
    "portable measurements",
    "microenvironments",
    "outdoor",
    "public transport",
    "base stations",
    "downlink",
    "broadcasting",
    "uplink",
    "urbanity",
    "international comparison"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.15,
      "reason": "Includes measurements in public transport vehicles, but not explicitly occupational."
    }
  ]
}

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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.2018.02.036
PubMed: 29529581

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