Characterization of Children's Exposure to Extremely Low Frequency Magnetic Fields by Stochastic Modeling

Authors: Bonato M, Parazzini M, Chiaramello E, Fiocchi S, Le Brusquet L, Magne I, Souques M, Röösli M, Ravazzani P

Year: 2018 Sep 8

Category: Public Health

Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health

Institution: Int J Environ Res Public Health

DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15091963

URL: http://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/15/9/1963

Abstract

Overview

This study investigates the exposure of children to extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF, 40⁻800 Hz).

Findings

  • The focus arises from concerns over a possible link between increased risk of childhood leukemia and daily average exposures above 0.4 µT, though the causality remains undetermined.
  • A new method is introduced for characterizing ELF-MF exposure in children, employing a stochastic approach through personal measurements segmented from two prior studies: the ARIMMORA project and the EXPERS project.
  • The methodology divides 24-hour recordings into segments, categorizes each event by its duration, mean magnetic field value, dispersion, and variation speed.
  • Data were then stratified into subgroups (e.g., age, population density), with each subgroup analyzed using kernel density estimation (KDE) and p-value distribution to highlight critical exposure factors.

Conclusion

This stochastic approach enables efficient identification of key parameters impacting children's exposure levels to electromagnetic fields, fostering a deeper understanding of environmental health risks.

ELF-MF stochastic modeling childhood leukemia magnetic fields exposure assessment
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