Comparison of personal exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields from Wi-Fi in a Spanish university over three years

Abstract

Comparison of personal exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields from Wi-Fi in a Spanish university over three years Ramirez-Vazquez R, Escobar I, Martinez-Plaza A, Arribas E. Comparison of personal exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields from Wi-Fi in a Spanish university over three years [published online ahead of print, 2022 Nov 8]. Sci Total Environ. 2022;160008. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160008. Abstract In this work we present the personal exposure levels to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields (RF-EMF) from Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) 2.4 GHz and 5.85 GHz bands in a Spanish university, specifically, at the Faculty of Computer Science Engineering at the University of Castilla-La Mancha (Albacete, Spain). We present results from three years, 2017, 2018 and 2019 in the same study place and points; and measurements carried out in 2022 inside a classroom and inside a professor's office, with the aim to compare the measurements and verify compliance with reference levels established by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). The minimum average was 0.0900 μW/m2 in the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, in 2019, and the maximum average was 211 μW/m2 in the 5.85 GHz Wi-Fi in 2017, around the building. Comparing the measurements carried out inside the classroom with students and without students, we identified that the maximum value was 278 μW/m2 (classroom with students, in the 5.85 GHz Wi-Fi band) and the minimum value was 37.9 μW/m2 (classroom without students, in the 5.85 GHz Wi-Fi band). Finally, comparing the results of all the measurements (average values) inside the classroom and inside a professor's office, the maximum value was 205 μW/m2 (in the 5.85 GHz Wi-Fi band) inside the classroom with students, and the minimum value was 0.217 μW/m2 inside a professor's office (in the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi band). These values in no case exceed the limits established by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection, 10 W/m2 for general public exposure. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Personal exposure to Wi‑Fi RF‑EMF (2.4 GHz and 5.85 GHz) was measured at a Spanish university across 2017–2019 and in 2022 (classroom and professor’s office). Reported average values ranged from 0.0900 µW/m² (2.4 GHz, 2019) to 211 µW/m² (5.85 GHz, 2017, around the building); classroom measurements ranged from 37.9 µW/m² (without students, 5.85 GHz) to 278 µW/m² (with students, 5.85 GHz). The authors report that none of the measured values exceeded the ICNIRP general public limit of 10 W/m².

Outcomes measured

• Personal exposure levels to RF-EMF from Wi‑Fi (2.4 GHz and 5.85 GHz) expressed as power density (µW/m²)
• Compliance with ICNIRP general public reference level (10 W/m²)

Suggested hubs

• school-wi-fi (0.9)
  Measures Wi‑Fi RF‑EMF exposure in classroom/university settings.
• who-icnirp (0.7)
  Assesses compliance with ICNIRP reference levels.

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    "study_type": "exposure_assessment",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "wi-fi",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "Measurements reported for years 2017, 2018, 2019; additional measurements in 2022"
    },
    "population": null,
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Personal exposure levels to RF-EMF from Wi‑Fi (2.4 GHz and 5.85 GHz) expressed as power density (µW/m²)",
        "Compliance with ICNIRP general public reference level (10 W/m²)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Personal exposure to Wi‑Fi RF‑EMF (2.4 GHz and 5.85 GHz) was measured at a Spanish university across 2017–2019 and in 2022 (classroom and professor’s office). Reported average values ranged from 0.0900 µW/m² (2.4 GHz, 2019) to 211 µW/m² (5.85 GHz, 2017, around the building); classroom measurements ranged from 37.9 µW/m² (without students, 5.85 GHz) to 278 µW/m² (with students, 5.85 GHz). The authors report that none of the measured values exceeded the ICNIRP general public limit of 10 W/m².",
    "effect_direction": "no_effect",
    "limitations": [],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "RF-EMF",
        "Wi-Fi",
        "2.4 GHz",
        "5.85 GHz",
        "personal exposure",
        "power density",
        "university",
        "classroom",
        "ICNIRP compliance"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "school-wi-fi",
            "weight": 0.90000000000000002220446049250313080847263336181640625,
            "reason": "Measures Wi‑Fi RF‑EMF exposure in classroom/university settings."
        },
        {
            "slug": "who-icnirp",
            "weight": 0.6999999999999999555910790149937383830547332763671875,
            "reason": "Assesses compliance with ICNIRP reference levels."
        }
    ]
}

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