Measurement of Outdoor Micro-Environmental Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Field Exposure Levels in Daily Life Using a Portable Measurement Device

Abstract

Category: Environmental Health Research Tags: RF-EMF, exposure assessment, urban environment, portable measurement, population density, micro-environment, health risk DOI: 10.1002/ecj.70015 URL: onlinelibrary.wiley.com Overview This research project focuses on clarifying actual human exposure levels to radio frequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) in daily life and investigating effective risk communication methods using measured RF-EMF exposure data. Measurements targeted various environments including major railway station areas, shopping streets, residential areas, and public parks, covering both urban and suburban locations in Japan. The goal was to acquire detailed data supporting an improved understanding of micro-environmental personal RF-EMF exposure levels. Methodology - Measurements performed using the ExpoM-RF4 portable device with a triaxial isotropic antenna. - Device covered 50 MHz to 6 GHz frequency range, collecting effective E-field strength values at 10 second intervals, and GPS tracking was enabled. - Measurements conducted both ways (outbound and return) along designated walking routes (15-20 minutes each direction). - Frequency bands targeted included those used for mobile phone systems, FM broadcasting, terrestrial television, and wireless LANs. Findings - Urban areas exhibited significantly higher RF-EMF exposure levels compared to suburban areas. - Among different environments, railway stations had the highest exposure, followed by shopping streets, residential areas, and parks. - No significant differences were found between measurements taken on the way to and from the designated routes. - There is a positive proportional relationship between RF-EMF exposure levels and population density or floating population. - Measurements via portable device agree with previous spot and vehicle-based data, even accounting for human body shielding effects. Conclusion This study demonstrates the effectiveness of portable devices in assessing personal, micro-environmental RF-EMF exposures during daily activities and highlights that higher exposure levels are associated with populated urban environments, especially near railway stations. The findings underscore the necessity of further comprehensive studies, as the effects of prolonged RF-EMF exposure remain an important public health concern, and reinforce the link between environmental EMF levels and potential health risk.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Using an ExpoM-RF4 portable device (50 MHz–6 GHz) during walking routes in Japan, urban areas showed significantly higher RF-EMF exposure levels than suburban areas. Railway station areas had the highest exposure among measured environments, and exposure levels were positively related to population density or floating population; no significant differences were observed between outbound and return measurements.

Outcomes measured

• Outdoor micro-environmental RF-EMF exposure levels (E-field strength)
• Differences in exposure by environment type (railway stations, shopping streets, residential areas, parks)
• Urban vs suburban exposure comparison
• Association between exposure levels and population density/floating population
• Outbound vs return route comparison
• Agreement with previous spot and vehicle-based measurements (including consideration of body shielding)

Suggested hubs

• school-wi-fi (0.2)
  Wireless LAN bands were included among targeted frequency bands, though measurements were outdoor and not school-specific.

{
    "study_type": "exposure_assessment",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "environmental (outdoor micro-environments; mobile phone systems, FM broadcasting, terrestrial television, wireless LANs)",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "Walking routes 15–20 minutes each direction; E-field sampled every 10 seconds"
    },
    "population": null,
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Outdoor micro-environmental RF-EMF exposure levels (E-field strength)",
        "Differences in exposure by environment type (railway stations, shopping streets, residential areas, parks)",
        "Urban vs suburban exposure comparison",
        "Association between exposure levels and population density/floating population",
        "Outbound vs return route comparison",
        "Agreement with previous spot and vehicle-based measurements (including consideration of body shielding)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Using an ExpoM-RF4 portable device (50 MHz–6 GHz) during walking routes in Japan, urban areas showed significantly higher RF-EMF exposure levels than suburban areas. Railway station areas had the highest exposure among measured environments, and exposure levels were positively related to population density or floating population; no significant differences were observed between outbound and return measurements.",
    "effect_direction": "unclear",
    "limitations": [],
    "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "RF-EMF",
        "exposure assessment",
        "portable measurement",
        "ExpoM-RF4",
        "triaxial isotropic antenna",
        "micro-environment",
        "urban environment",
        "suburban",
        "railway stations",
        "shopping streets",
        "residential areas",
        "public parks",
        "population density",
        "wireless LAN",
        "FM broadcasting",
        "terrestrial television",
        "mobile phone systems",
        "GPS tracking"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "school-wi-fi",
            "weight": 0.200000000000000011102230246251565404236316680908203125,
            "reason": "Wireless LAN bands were included among targeted frequency bands, though measurements were outdoor and not school-specific."
        }
    ]
}

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