Modelling and Evaluation of the Absorption of the 866 MHz Electromagnetic Field in Humans Exposed near to Fixed I-RFID Readers Used in Medical RTLS or to Monitor PPE.

Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) · 2021 · Unclear · Insufficient evidence

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UnclearInsufficient evidencePaper 5685

Study snapshot

PublicationSensors (Basel, Switzerland) · 2021

Study typeengineering

Reported directionUnclear

Evidence ratingInsufficient

Abstract

The aim of this study was to model and evaluate the Specific Energy Absorption Rate (SAR) values in humans in proximity to fixed multi-antenna I-RFID readers of passive tags under various scenarios mimicking exposure when they are incorporated in Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS), or used to monitor Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The sources of the electromagnetic field (EMF) in the modelled readers were rectangular microstrip antennas at a resonance frequency in free space of 866 MHz from the ultra-high frequency (UHF) RFID frequency range of 865-868 MHz. The obtained results of numerical modelling showed that the SAR values in the body 5 cm away from the UHF RFID readers need consideration with respect to exposure limits set by international guidelines to prevent adverse thermal effects of exposure to EMF: when the effective radiated power exceeds 5.5 W with respect to the general public/unrestricted environments exposure limits, and with respect to occupational/restricted environments exposure limits, when the effective radiated power exceeds 27.5 W.

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 typeengineering

Effect directionunclear

PopulationHumans (modelled)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF · 866 MHz

Evidence strengthInsufficientConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Numerical modelling of exposure near fixed multi-antenna UHF RFID readers (866 MHz) indicated that SAR values at 5 cm distance warrant consideration relative to international exposure limits. The study reports that effective radiated power above 5.5 W may exceed general public/unrestricted environment limits, and above 27.5 W may exceed occupational/restricted environment limits.

Outcomes measured

Specific Energy Absorption Rate (SAR) in humans near fixed multi-antenna I-RFID readers
Comparison to international exposure limits/guidelines for preventing adverse thermal effects

Limitations

Numerical modelling study (no direct measurements in humans reported in abstract)
Exposure scenarios limited to proximity (5 cm) and modelled reader/antenna configurations described

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "engineering",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "I-RFID reader (UHF RFID)",
    "frequency_mhz": 866,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Humans (modelled)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Specific Energy Absorption Rate (SAR) in humans near fixed multi-antenna I-RFID readers",
    "Comparison to international exposure limits/guidelines for preventing adverse thermal effects"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Numerical modelling of exposure near fixed multi-antenna UHF RFID readers (866 MHz) indicated that SAR values at 5 cm distance warrant consideration relative to international exposure limits. The study reports that effective radiated power above 5.5 W may exceed general public/unrestricted environment limits, and above 27.5 W may exceed occupational/restricted environment limits.",
  "effect_direction": "unclear",
  "limitations": [
    "Numerical modelling study (no direct measurements in humans reported in abstract)",
    "Exposure scenarios limited to proximity (5 cm) and modelled reader/antenna configurations described"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "SAR",
    "specific energy absorption rate",
    "UHF RFID",
    "I-RFID",
    "866 MHz",
    "865-868 MHz",
    "microstrip antenna",
    "RTLS",
    "personal protective equipment",
    "occupational exposure",
    "exposure limits",
    "international guidelines"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.62,
      "reason": "Abstract explicitly compares modelled exposure to occupational/restricted environment exposure limits."
    }
  ]
}

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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/s21124251
PubMed: 34205808

Read the original paper →

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