Abstract

Overview

The study discusses a novel methodology for designing electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure maps optimized for both urban and rural large areas, which enhances the efficiency and accuracy of epidemiological risk assessments.

Methodology

• Combines radio wave propagation with GIS techniques.
• Utilizes a 250 × 250 m grid for urban areas, and 500 × 500 m grid for rural settings, to identify EMF sources and optimize measurement efforts.
• Incorporates line of sight (LOS) conditions to reduce required measurements.

Findings

The proposed criteria help develop maps that reflect true EMF exposure by considering various geographical and tech-savvy methodologies like kriging techniques for interpolations. Improved map accuracy aids in better risk assessment by providing an objective tool rooted in current propagation models and can potentially correlate with health outcomes in future research.

Conclusion

The study proposes a systematic approach to EMF mapping in large areas, emphasizing on LOS measurements and the integration of GIS-based interpolations to capture accurate EMF distributions. These techniques provide a foundation for future empirical studies in epidemiology and environmental health, especially concerning new technologies like 5G.