Abstract

Overview

Mobile phones, tablets, and other devices equipped with capacitive touchscreens are now integral parts of daily life. This study examines the direct effects of these devices' operations on both the device's battery health and potential public health outcomes.

Findings

• We intricately measure the Alternating Current (AC) electric field emitted by smartphone touchscreens during charging using a Trifield TF2 meter and a Faraday pickup coil.
• Focus was on an Apple iPhone 8, measuring electric fields in the range of 0–200 kHz, significantly below the normal cellular signal frequency bands.
• Concentrations of electric fields as high as 500 V/m RMS were noted under specific charging conditions.
• The source of these emissions appears to be the device's lithium-ion battery.
• Interestingly, these AC electric fields aren't detected when the phone is charged using a portable power bank.

Conclusion

The study highlights significant emissions of electric fields from smartphones during typical charging scenarios, which emanate from their batteries, posing possible health risks.