Abstract

Overview

This review focuses on recent advancements in thermal and electromagnetic simulations concerning radiofrequency energy absorption and its effects on temperature increase within human tissue models. Studies cover the frequency range from 100 MHz to 3-10 GHz, which marks the transition in exposure guidelines from specific absorption rate to incident power density.

Findings

• Analysis of the newly introduced dosimetric quantity, the heating factor, reveals its utility in harmonizing exposure assessments across different modeling conditions.
• The review discusses the alignment between thermal models and experimental data, highlighting the influence of varying blood flow on temperature changes.
• Challenges include uncertain data on peak absorption locations and temperature increases within specific body areas, crucial for a precise health risk assessment.

Conclusion

The paper concludes that while the heating factor is a significant metric, there is a pressing need for further research to pinpoint the exact nature and magnitude of thermal increases due to RF exposures. Such studies would refine protective measures and exposure guidelines, enhancing safety against RF-induced thermal hazards.