Numerical dosimetry dedicated to children RF exposure

Prog Biophys Mol Biol · 2011 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 6751

Study snapshot

PublicationProg Biophys Mol Biol · 2011

Study typereview

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Children are more and more using wireless communication systems. This growth has strengthened public concern and has highlighted the need to assess the radio frequency (RF) exposure of children. In dosimetry, taking advantage of the improvement of High Performance Calculation systems, great efforts have been carried out to improve the numerical tools and human models used to assess the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR). This paper analyses progress in building child and foetus models for numerical dosimetry purpose. The simulation results, in terms of Specific Absorption Rate over 1 and 10 g of tissues, in specific organs such as brain and averaged over the whole body, are reported and analysed. The results show that compliance methods used nowadays to certify phones are valid for children. The studies also show that specific tissues such as peripheral brain tissues can have higher exposure with children than with adults. Studies performed with plane waves as sources and whole body children models show that the whole body SAR of children can be higher than the WBSAR of adults and that the compliance to ICNIRP reference levels does not guarantee the compliance to ICNIRP basic restrictions. Dealing with the foetus models and dielectric properties great efforts have been made. Preliminary results show that the foetus exposure is often lower than the mother exposure, with an important influencing parameter: the foetus position in the uterus.

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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 typereview

Effect directionmixed

PopulationChildren; foetus (in utero)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

The paper reports numerical dosimetry results indicating that current phone compliance methods are valid for children, while some tissues (e.g., peripheral brain tissues) may have higher exposure in children than adults. For plane-wave exposures, whole-body SAR in children can be higher than in adults, and compliance with ICNIRP reference levels may not guarantee compliance with ICNIRP basic restrictions. Preliminary foetus-model results suggest foetus exposure is often lower than the mother’s, with foetus position in the uterus influencing exposure.

Outcomes measured

Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) over 1 g and 10 g tissue
Organ SAR (e.g., brain)
Whole-body SAR (WBSAR)
Compliance with ICNIRP reference levels and basic restrictions
Comparison of child vs adult exposure
Foetus vs mother exposure (influence of foetus position)

Limitations

Frequency and exposure conditions are not specified in the abstract
No quantitative SAR values are provided in the abstract
Review/analysis of modeling studies; findings depend on model assumptions and simulation setups

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "review",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "wireless communication systems; mobile phones; plane waves",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Children; foetus (in utero)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) over 1 g and 10 g tissue",
    "Organ SAR (e.g., brain)",
    "Whole-body SAR (WBSAR)",
    "Compliance with ICNIRP reference levels and basic restrictions",
    "Comparison of child vs adult exposure",
    "Foetus vs mother exposure (influence of foetus position)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "The paper reports numerical dosimetry results indicating that current phone compliance methods are valid for children, while some tissues (e.g., peripheral brain tissues) may have higher exposure in children than adults. For plane-wave exposures, whole-body SAR in children can be higher than in adults, and compliance with ICNIRP reference levels may not guarantee compliance with ICNIRP basic restrictions. Preliminary foetus-model results suggest foetus exposure is often lower than the mother’s, with foetus position in the uterus influencing exposure.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Frequency and exposure conditions are not specified in the abstract",
    "No quantitative SAR values are provided in the abstract",
    "Review/analysis of modeling studies; findings depend on model assumptions and simulation setups"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "radiofrequency",
    "RF exposure",
    "children",
    "foetus",
    "numerical dosimetry",
    "SAR",
    "whole-body SAR",
    "brain",
    "mobile phones",
    "plane waves",
    "ICNIRP",
    "reference levels",
    "basic restrictions"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "who-icnirp",
      "weight": 0.86,
      "reason": "Discusses ICNIRP reference levels vs basic restrictions and compliance implications."
    }
  ]
}

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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.pbiomolbio.2011.10.002
PubMed: 22005525

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