Personal radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure measurements in Swiss adolescents

Authors: Roser K, Schoeni A, Struchen B, Zahner M, Eeftens M, Fröhlich J, Röösli M

Year: 2016 Dec 27

Category: Environmental Health

Journal: Environ Int

DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2016.12.008

URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28038972

Abstract

Abstract Summary

Overview

This study investigates the exposure of Swiss adolescents to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF), primarily from personal use of wireless communication devices.

Objectives

To detail the personal RF-EMF exposure levels of Swiss adolescents.
To identify significant sources contributing to RF-EMF exposure in this demographic.

Methods

Using portable RF-EMF measuring devices (ExpoM-RF), exposure was monitored over three days by adolescents aged 13 to 17 years, covering frequencies between 470 to 3600MHz.

Findings

The main contributors to RF-EMF exposure were found to be:

Mobile phones at 67.2%
Mobile phone base stations at 19.8%
WLAN from schools and homes with a minor 3.5%

Dose calculations indicated environmental factors contributed roughly 6.0% to the brain dose and 9.0% to the body dose.

Conclusion

Exposure to RF-EMF for adolescents is predominantly from personal mobile phone usage, with minor contributions from environmental sources like mobile phone base stations.

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