Assessment of Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Field Exposure Induced by Base Stations in Several

Abstract

Assessment of Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Field Exposure Induced by Base Stations in Several Micro-Environments in France W. B. Chikha et al. Assessment of Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Field Exposure Induced by Base Stations in Several Micro-Environments in France. IEEE Access, vol. 12, pp. 21610-21620, 2024, doi: 10.1109/ACCESS.2024.3363914. Abstract 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 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. Then, we use metrics, such as the quadratic mean, standard deviation, and median of the electric (E) field to carry out a comparative study between different MEs with different RF bands. It was found that the 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). In addition, we perform clustering analyses using the K-Means technique to group the MEs with comparable exposure levels. The results show that the exposure level is low, but generally higher in MEs located in Paris than in the other considered areas (i.e., Massy and three villages, namely Igny, Bures-sur-Yvette and Gif-Sur-Yvette). For example, we observe that outdoor MEs can be grouped into three clusters, where the average total E fields (ATEFs) are 0.77 V/m, 0.35 V/m, and 0.08 V/m for the MEs belonging to the first, second and third clusters, respectively. Note that the first cluster here mainly contains the MEs located in Paris. This can be explained by the important number of antennas deployed in that area to serve the huge amount of users. We also observe few locations with exceptions confirming the presence of heterogeneous environments in the vicinity of some areas. For instance, three MEs in Paris among fifteen have an exposure level similar to Massy MEs in outdoor ieeexplore.ieee.org

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Personal dosimeter measurements across 70 microenvironments in France found RF-EMF exposure levels well below the maximum allowable exposure limit prescribed by ICNIRP. Exposure levels were generally higher in microenvironments located in Paris than in other considered areas (Massy and villages). Outdoor microenvironments were grouped into three clusters with average total E fields of 0.77 V/m, 0.35 V/m, and 0.08 V/m, with the highest-exposure cluster mainly containing Paris locations.

Outcomes measured

• Downlink RF-EMF exposure (electric field, V/m) across microenvironments
• Comparison of exposure levels across locations (e.g., Paris vs other areas)
• Clustering of microenvironments by average total E-field levels
• Compliance relative to ICNIRP maximum allowable exposure limits

Limitations

• Specific RF bands/frequencies assessed are not detailed in the provided abstract
• Measurement duration/timing and sampling strategy per microenvironment are not specified in the provided abstract
• Results are limited to selected microenvironments/areas in France and may not generalize beyond these settings
• Correction approach is described generally; quantitative correction factors/uncertainty are not provided in the provided abstract

Suggested hubs

• who-icnirp (0.86)
  Findings are explicitly compared to ICNIRP maximum allowable exposure limits.
• 5g-policy (0.55)
  Study is linked to Beyond5G and an EU project on 5G exposure; assesses exposure in real-world settings.

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    "study_type": "exposure_assessment",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "base station",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": null
    },
    "population": null,
    "sample_size": 70,
    "outcomes": [
        "Downlink RF-EMF exposure (electric field, V/m) across microenvironments",
        "Comparison of exposure levels across locations (e.g., Paris vs other areas)",
        "Clustering of microenvironments by average total E-field levels",
        "Compliance relative to ICNIRP maximum allowable exposure limits"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Personal dosimeter measurements across 70 microenvironments in France found RF-EMF exposure levels well below the maximum allowable exposure limit prescribed by ICNIRP. Exposure levels were generally higher in microenvironments located in Paris than in other considered areas (Massy and villages). Outdoor microenvironments were grouped into three clusters with average total E fields of 0.77 V/m, 0.35 V/m, and 0.08 V/m, with the highest-exposure cluster mainly containing Paris locations.",
    "effect_direction": "no_effect",
    "limitations": [
        "Specific RF bands/frequencies assessed are not detailed in the provided abstract",
        "Measurement duration/timing and sampling strategy per microenvironment are not specified in the provided abstract",
        "Results are limited to selected microenvironments/areas in France and may not generalize beyond these settings",
        "Correction approach is described generally; quantitative correction factors/uncertainty are not provided in the provided abstract"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "moderate",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "RF-EMF",
        "radiofrequency electromagnetic field",
        "base stations",
        "cellular networks",
        "5G",
        "downlink exposure",
        "personal dosimeter",
        "ExpoM-RF4",
        "Tektronix real-time spectrum analyzer",
        "microenvironments",
        "France",
        "ICNIRP",
        "electric field",
        "K-means clustering"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
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            "reason": "Study is linked to Beyond5G and an EU project on 5G exposure; assesses exposure in real-world settings."
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}

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