Evaluating the Effect on Heart Rate Variability of Adults Exposed to Radio-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields in Modern Office Environment

Abstract

Overview

The study aimed to determine the applicability of heart rate variability (HRV) in assessing the impacts of Radio-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields (RF-EMF) on humans in an office setting. The investigation focused on the interactions between common office frequencies and human biological responses during short exposures.

Findings

• HRV parameters such as SDNN, RMSSD, LF, and HF were measured from 60 adults across three experimental runs, resulting in a total of 154 recordings.
• Notable changes were observed in the parameter SDNN during shifts from control to exposure phases.
• Common cofactors like smoking, coffee consumption, and strong medications did not influence the effects of electromagnetic fields.

Conclusion

The findings suggest that HRV is an effective measure to detect the impacts of RF-EMF on humans, under specific conditions. Recommendations for future studies include longer exposure durations and the inclusion of emerging technologies like 5G to enhance understanding of RF-EMF effects in office environments.