Exposure to ELF and IF magnetic and electric fields among children from the INMA-Gipuzkoa cohort

Abstract

Exposure to ELF and IF magnetic and electric fields among children from the INMA-Gipuzkoa cohort Gallastegi M, Jiménez-Zabala A, Santa-Marina L, Aurrekoetxea JJ, Ayerdi M, Ibarluzea J, Kromhout H, González J, Huss A. Exposure to extremely low and intermediate-frequency magnetic and electric fields among children from the INMA-Gipuzkoa cohort.Environ Res. 2017 May 30;157:190-197. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2017.05.027. Abstract Detailed assessment of exposure to extremely low frequency (ELF) and intermediate frequency (IF) fields is essential in order to conduct informative epidemiological studies of the health effects from exposure to these fields. There is limited information available regarding ELF electric fields and on both magnetic and electric field exposures of children in the IF range. The aim of this study was to characterize ELF and IF exposure of children in the Spanish INMA cohort. A combination of spot and fixed measurements was carried out in 104 homes, 26 schools and their playgrounds and 105 parks. Low levels of ELF magnetic fields (ELF-MF) were observed (with the highest 24-h time-weighted average (TWA) exposure being 0.15μT in one home). The interquartile range (IQR) of ELF electric fields (ELF-EF) ranged from 1 to 15V/m indoors and from 0.3 to 1.1V/m outdoors and a maximum value observed was 55.5V/m in one school playground. IQR ranges for IF magnetic and electric fields were between 0.02 and 0.23μT and 0.2 and 0.5V/m respectively and maximum values were 0.03μT and 1.51V/m in homes. Correlations between magnetic and electric fields were weak for ELF (Spearman 0.04-0.36 in different settings) and moderate for IF (between 0.28 and 0.75). Children of INMA-Gipuzkoa cohort were exposed to very low levels of ELF-MF in all settings and to similar levels of ELF-EF compared to the range of previously reported levels, although somewhat higher exposures occurred at home. Children enrolled to our study were similarly exposed to IF in all settings. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Spot and fixed measurements in 104 homes, 26 schools (and playgrounds), and 105 parks found low ELF magnetic fields, with the highest 24-h TWA of 0.15 μT in one home. ELF electric fields had IQR 1–15 V/m indoors and 0.3–1.1 V/m outdoors, with a maximum of 55.5 V/m in one school playground; IF magnetic and electric field IQRs were 0.02–0.23 μT and 0.2–0.5 V/m, with maxima in homes of 0.03 μT and 1.51 V/m. Correlations between magnetic and electric fields were weak for ELF and moderate for IF.

Outcomes measured

• ELF magnetic field levels (μT)
• ELF electric field levels (V/m)
• IF magnetic field levels (μT)
• IF electric field levels (V/m)
• Correlations between magnetic and electric fields (Spearman)

Suggested hubs

• school-wi-fi (0.2)
  Includes measurements in schools and playgrounds, but exposure is ELF/IF fields rather than Wi‑Fi specifically.
• occupational-exposure (0)

{
    "study_type": "exposure_assessment",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "ELF and IF",
        "source": "home, school (including playgrounds), parks",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "24-h time-weighted average (TWA) reported for ELF-MF; spot and fixed measurements"
    },
    "population": "Children from the Spanish INMA-Gipuzkoa cohort",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "ELF magnetic field levels (μT)",
        "ELF electric field levels (V/m)",
        "IF magnetic field levels (μT)",
        "IF electric field levels (V/m)",
        "Correlations between magnetic and electric fields (Spearman)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Spot and fixed measurements in 104 homes, 26 schools (and playgrounds), and 105 parks found low ELF magnetic fields, with the highest 24-h TWA of 0.15 μT in one home. ELF electric fields had IQR 1–15 V/m indoors and 0.3–1.1 V/m outdoors, with a maximum of 55.5 V/m in one school playground; IF magnetic and electric field IQRs were 0.02–0.23 μT and 0.2–0.5 V/m, with maxima in homes of 0.03 μT and 1.51 V/m. Correlations between magnetic and electric fields were weak for ELF and moderate for IF.",
    "effect_direction": "no_effect",
    "limitations": [],
    "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "extremely low frequency",
        "intermediate frequency",
        "magnetic fields",
        "electric fields",
        "children",
        "INMA-Gipuzkoa",
        "home",
        "school",
        "playground",
        "parks",
        "spot measurements",
        "fixed measurements",
        "time-weighted average"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "school-wi-fi",
            "weight": 0.200000000000000011102230246251565404236316680908203125,
            "reason": "Includes measurements in schools and playgrounds, but exposure is ELF/IF fields rather than Wi‑Fi specifically."
        },
        {
            "slug": "occupational-exposure",
            "weight": 0,
            "reason": null
        }
    ]
}

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