Exploring RF-EMF levels in Swiss microenvironments: An evaluation of environmental and auto- induced downlink and uplink exposure in the era of 5G

Authors: Veludo AF, Stroobandt B, Van Bladel H, Sandoval-Diez N, Guxens M, Joseph W, Röösli M

Year: 2024

Category: Environmental Health

Journal: Environmental Research

DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.120550

URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S001393512402454X

Abstract

Overview

The advancement of cellular networks requires updating measurement protocols to better study radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure emitted from devices and base stations. This paper presents a novel activity-based microenvironmental survey protocol to measure environmental, auto-induced downlink (DL), and uplink (UL) RF-EMF exposure in the era of 5G. The protocol was applied in Switzerland across five diverse study areas with varying degrees of urbanization.

Key Protocol Features

  • Microenvironments defined to assess RF-EMF exposure in the population.
  • Three data transmission scenarios studied: user equipment in flight mode (non-user), induced DL traffic (max DL), and induced UL traffic (max UL).
  • Continuous measurements performed across 35 frequency bands, ranging from broadcasting to Wi-Fi, using the ExpoM-RF 4 exposimeter positioned 30cm from the equipment.

Findings

  • The urban business area recorded the highest median RF-EMF levels during the non-user scenario (1.02 mW/m2), with downlink and broadcasting bands being the main contributors.
  • Exposure substantially increased during max DL due primarily to the 5G band at 3.5 GHz, with the median levels between 3.20-12.13 mW/m2, especially in urban regions.
  • Time-division nature of the 5G band prevents distinguishing between DL beamforming or UL signals exposure.
  • The highest exposure was observed during max UL in rural microenvironments, with 50% of medians between 12.08-37.50 mW/m2, primarily from the UL 2.1 GHz band.
  • Induced DL and UL traffic resulted in a marked rise in exposure, whereas environmental levels remained consistent with previous studies.

Conclusion

This novel microenvironmental survey protocol effectively disentangles environmental from auto-induced downlink and uplink RF-EMF exposure in the 5G era. Inducing maximum DL and UL traffic can significantly elevate exposure levels, with the 5G 3.5 GHz and UL 2.1 GHz bands being the major contributors. These data support epidemiological research and risk communication/management regarding EMF exposure, strengthening the understanding of the health risks associated with rising RF-EMF in everyday environments.

Future research will apply this protocol across various countries to better characterize exposure values under realistic scenarios, highlighting the ongoing necessity for careful RF-EMF assessment and health risk evaluation.

RF-EMF 5G exposure microenvironments downlink uplink environmental measurement Switzerland
← Back to Stats