Abstract

Overview

This article reviews the potential health risks due to simultaneous exposure to multiple electromagnetic field (EMF) sources from typical base stations, a critical issue in the rapidly expanding network of communications technology.

Findings

The study utilizes a model that aggregates exposure from infinite sources, such as base stations in densely populated urban areas like Brasília, Brazil. Despite high base station density, the results suggest that the power density exposure remains significantly below international safety limits. The exposure ratio does not surpass 2.62% of ICNIRP limits, even though the highest measured value indicates 85% of this estimation, suggesting a substantial safety margin.

• Real-world data and conservative path loss models were employed.
• The study includes extensive simulations and over 3,000 real-world measurements aligning with model predictions.
• The model's versatility extends to different base station categories and is adaptable for future 5G technologies.

Conclusion

The model introduced provides a method for estimating the upper limit of Total Exposure Ratio (TER) from multiple RF EMF sources. While results remain within safe exposure limits, the study underscores the importance of continuous monitoring and conservative models in assessing RF EMF health risks.