Assessment of Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Field Exposure Induced by Base Stations in Several Micro-Environments in France

Authors: W. B. Chikha et al.

Year: 2024

Category: Epidemiology

Journal: IEEE Access

DOI: 10.1109/ACCESS.2024.3363914

URL: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?tp=&arnumber=10424982&isnumber=10380310

Abstract

Overview

Recently, the monitoring of the radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure induced by cellular networks has received a great deal of attention. In this work, a set of 70 microenvironments (MEs) located in urban and rural areas are selected in France under, on the one hand, the French Beyond5G project, and on the other hand, the 5G expOsure, causaL effects and rIsk perception through citizen engagement (GOLIAT) EU project.

The purpose of this study is to assess the RF-EMF downlink (DL) exposure in residential areas, downtowns, business areas, train stations, and public transport rides. For that, we employ the personal ExpoM-RF4 dosimeter placed inside a backpack to perform the measurements in different MEs. To take into consideration the effect of the presence of the human body near the dosimeter, we propose a correction approach that is mainly based on comparing the measurements given by ExpoM-RF4 to the ones provided by a reference system using the Tektronix real-time spectrum analyzer (RTSA) far from the body.

Findings

  • Metrics such as quadratic mean, standard deviation, and median of the electric (E) field are used to compare different MEs with different RF bands.
  • RF-EMF exposure levels for all MEs are well below the maximum allowable exposure limit prescribed by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP).
  • Clustering analyses using the K-Means technique group MEs with comparable exposure levels.
  • Exposure levels are low, but generally higher in MEs located in Paris compared to other areas (Massy, Igny, Bures-sur-Yvette, and Gif-Sur-Yvette).
  • Outdoor MEs form three clusters, with average total E fields of 0.77 V/m, 0.35 V/m, and 0.08 V/m for the first, second, and third clusters, respectively. The first cluster mainly contains MEs in Paris, likely due to the higher number of antennas deployed to serve more users.
  • There are heterogeneous exposure environments, as some locations, such as three Paris MEs, exhibit exposure levels similar to those in Massy.

Conclusion

This study provides a comprehensive assessment of RF-EMF exposure across numerous urban and rural microenvironments in France, emphasizing spatial variability in exposure levels and the influence of network infrastructure density. The findings underscore the importance of continuous EMF monitoring to better inform public health and risk perception.

⚠️ There is a connection between electromagnetic fields and health risks. Continuous monitoring and categorization, as shown in this study, supports safer practices and a better understanding of potential health implications from EMF exposure.

RF-EMF exposure base stations microenvironments dosimetry France cluster analysis public health
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