Comparison of personal exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields from Wi-Fi in a Spanish university over three years

Abstract

Overview

This study assesses the personal exposure levels to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields (RF-EMF) from Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) across 2.4 GHz and 5.85 GHz bands at the Faculty of Computer Science Engineering at the University of Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. Conducted over three years (2017, 2018, and 2019) with additional measurements in 2022, it focused inside classrooms and a professor's office.

Findings

• Minimum average exposure was 0.0900 μW/m2 at 2.4 GHz in 2019.
• Maximum average exposure was 211 μW/m2 at 5.85 GHz in 2017.
• When classrooms had students, maximum RF-EMF exposure reached 278 μW/m2 at 5.85 GHz, while the minimum without students was 37.9 μW/m2 at the same frequency.
• In a comparison between locations, maximum exposure occurred in a classroom with students (205 μW/m2 at 5.85 GHz), and the lowest in the professor's office (0.217 μW/m2 at 2.4 GHz).

Conclusion

The detected RF-EMF levels did not exceed the safe exposure limits set by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection, which are 10 W/m2 for the general public. However, the presence of significant differences in exposure levels based on room occupation (with or without students) raises potential concerns about prolonged exposure in typically crowded environments like classrooms.