Modelling the Influence of Electromagnetic Field on the User of a Wearable IoT Device Used in a WSN for Monitoring and Reducing Hazards in the Work Environment.

Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) · 2020 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 5610

Using a modeled MIFA antenna (ESP32-WROOM-32 module), calculated SAR in a multilayer head model was up to 10× higher when the antenna was located in a headband compared with placement on a helmet. The authors state that only similar wearable IoT devices emitt…

Study snapshot

PublicationSensors (Basel, Switzerland) · 2020

Study typeengineering

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the absorption in a user's head of an electromagnetic field (EMF) emitted by the Wi-Fi and/or Bluetooth module of a wearable small Internet of Things (IoT) electronic device (emitting EMF of up to 100 mW), in order to test the hypothesis that EMF has an insignificant influence on humans, and to compare the levels of such EMF absorption in various scenarios when using this device. The modelled EMF source was a meandered inverted-F antenna (MIFA)-type antenna of the ESP32-WROOM-32 radio module used in wearable devices developed within the reported study. To quantify the EMF absorption, the specific energy absorption rate (SAR) values were calculated in a multi-layer ellipsoidal model of the human head (involving skin, fat, skull bones and brain layers). The obtained results show up to 10 times higher values of SAR from the MIFA located in the headband, in comparison to its location on the helmet. Only wearable IoT devices (similar in construction and way of use to the investigated device) emitting at below 3 mW equivalent isotropically radiated power (EIRP) from Wi-Fi/Bluetooth communications modules may be considered environmentally insignificant EMF sources.

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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 typeengineering

Effect directionmixed

PopulationModelled human head (multi-layer ellipsoidal model: skin, fat, skull bones, brain)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Specific absorption rate (SAR) in head tissues
Comparison of SAR by device/antenna placement (headband vs helmet)
Assessment of EMF absorption levels for Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth wearable device scenarios

Limitations

Modeling study using an idealized multilayer ellipsoidal head model rather than measurements in humans
Frequency and detailed exposure parameters beyond stated power/EIRP are not provided in the abstract
Findings are specific to the modeled antenna/module and placement scenarios

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "engineering",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "wearable IoT device (Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth module)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Modelled human head (multi-layer ellipsoidal model: skin, fat, skull bones, brain)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Specific absorption rate (SAR) in head tissues",
    "Comparison of SAR by device/antenna placement (headband vs helmet)",
    "Assessment of EMF absorption levels for Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth wearable device scenarios"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Using a modeled MIFA antenna (ESP32-WROOM-32 module), calculated SAR in a multilayer head model was up to 10× higher when the antenna was located in a headband compared with placement on a helmet. The authors state that only similar wearable IoT devices emitting below 3 mW EIRP from Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth modules may be considered environmentally insignificant EMF sources.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Modeling study using an idealized multilayer ellipsoidal head model rather than measurements in humans",
    "Frequency and detailed exposure parameters beyond stated power/EIRP are not provided in the abstract",
    "Findings are specific to the modeled antenna/module and placement scenarios"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "wearable",
    "IoT",
    "Wi-Fi",
    "Bluetooth",
    "ESP32-WROOM-32",
    "MIFA antenna",
    "SAR",
    "head model",
    "occupational hazards",
    "WSN"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.6,
      "reason": "Wearable device described as used for monitoring/reducing hazards in the work environment; exposure context is workplace use."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.3390/s20247131
PubMed: 33322725

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