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Development of an RF-EMF Exposure Surrogate for Epidemiologic Research

Author

Listed:
  • Katharina Roser

    (University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland)

  • Anna Schoeni

    (University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland)

  • Alfred Bürgi

    (ARIAS umwelt.forschung.beratung, Gutenbergstrasse 40B, CH-3011 Bern, Switzerland)

  • Martin Röösli

    (University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland)

Abstract

Exposure assessment is a crucial part in studying potential effects of RF-EMF. Using data from the HERMES study on adolescents, we developed an integrative exposure surrogate combining near-field and far-field RF-EMF exposure in a single brain and whole-body exposure measure. Contributions from far-field sources were modelled by propagation modelling and multivariable regression modelling using personal measurements. Contributions from near-field sources were assessed from both, questionnaires and mobile phone operator records. Mean cumulative brain and whole-body doses were 1559.7 mJ/kg and 339.9 mJ/kg per day, respectively. 98.4% of the brain dose originated from near-field sources, mainly from GSM mobile phone calls (93.1%) and from DECT phone calls (4.8%). Main contributors to the whole-body dose were GSM mobile phone calls (69.0%), use of computer, laptop and tablet connected to WLAN (12.2%) and data traffic on the mobile phone via WLAN (6.5%). The exposure from mobile phone base stations contributed 1.8% to the whole-body dose, while uplink exposure from other people’s mobile phones contributed 3.6%. In conclusion, the proposed approach is considered useful to combine near-field and far-field exposure to an integrative exposure surrogate for exposure assessment in epidemiologic studies. However, substantial uncertainties remain about exposure contributions from various near-field and far-field sources.

Suggested Citation

  • Katharina Roser & Anna Schoeni & Alfred Bürgi & Martin Röösli, 2015. "Development of an RF-EMF Exposure Surrogate for Epidemiologic Research," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-23, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:12:y:2015:i:5:p:5634-5656:d:50028
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Sam Aerts & David Plets & Arno Thielens & Luc Martens & Wout Joseph, 2015. "Impact of a Small Cell on the RF-EMF Exposure in a Train," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-14, February.
    2. Evelyn Mohler & Patrizia Frei & Jürg Fröhlich & Charlotte Braun-Fahrländer & Martin Röösli & the QUALIFEX-team, 2012. "Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields and Sleep Quality: A Prospective Cohort Study," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 7(5), pages 1-10, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Corentin Regrain & Julien Caudeville & René de Seze & Mohammed Guedda & Amirreza Chobineh & Philippe de Doncker & Luca Petrillo & Emma Chiaramello & Marta Parazzini & Wout Joseph & Sam Aerts & Anke Hu, 2020. "Design of an Integrated Platform for Mapping Residential Exposure to Rf-Emf Sources," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-19, July.
    2. Toru Ishihara & Keiko Yamazaki & Atsuko Araki & Yuri Teraoka & Naomi Tamura & Takashi Hikage & Manabu Omiya & Masahiro Mizuta & Reiko Kishi, 2020. "Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Field in the High-Frequency Band and Cognitive Function in Children and Adolescents: A Literature Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-19, December.
    3. Christopher Brzozek & Kurt K. Benke & Berihun M. Zeleke & Michael J. Abramson & Geza Benke, 2018. "Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Radiation and Memory Performance: Sources of Uncertainty in Epidemiological Cohort Studies," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-19, March.

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