Representativeness and repeatability of microenvironmental personal and head exposures to RF-EMF

Authors: Thielens A, Van den Bossche M, Brzozek C, Bhatt CR, Abramson MJ, Benke G, Martens L, Joseph W

Year: 2018 Apr

Category: Environmental Research

Journal: Environ Res

DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2017.12.017

URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29289859

Abstract

Overview

The study focused on analyzing the repeatability and representativeness of personal and head exposures to radio frequency-electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs) across various microenvironments.

Methodology

Measurements were conducted using a body-worn Personal Exposimeter (PEM) and a head-worn personal distributed exposimeter (PDE) across 15 different microenvironments in Melbourne, Australia, to compare and validate data from these devices.

Findings

  • The collected data demonstrated high representativeness (r2 > 0.66) and repeatability (r2 > 0.87) over time.
  • Head exposure ranged between 0.06V/m and 0.31V/m in the 900MHz downlink band.
  • Highest mean total RF-EMF exposure was recorded in Melbourne's CBD (0.89V/m).
  • Lower exposure levels were recorded in suburban residential areas (0.05V/m).
  • There were moderate to high correlations observed between the simultaneous measurements with the two different devices (0.42 < r2 < 0.94).

Conclusion

This study provides significant insights into the variability and risks associated with RF-EMF exposures in different urban microenvironments, highlighting the consistent exposure levels particularly in areas of high density like CBDs compared to suburban settings.

RF-EMF microenvironments exposure measurement personal exposimeter electromagnetic fields
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