Evaluating the Effect on Heart Rate Variability of Adults Exposed to Radio-Frequency Electromagnetic

Abstract

Evaluating the Effect on Heart Rate Variability of Adults Exposed to Radio-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields in Modern Office Environment Dale S, Reiz R, Popa S, Ardelean-Dale A, Keller J, Geier JU. Evaluating the Effect on Heart Rate Variability of Adults Exposed to Radio-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields in Modern Office Environment. International Journal of Advanced Computer Science and Applications (IJACSA), 15(6), 2024. doi: 10.14569/IJACSA.2024.0150609. Abstract The objective of the study was to investigate whether heart rate variability (HRV) is an appropriate method to describe potential effects of RF-EMF on humans considering a modern office environment radiation level with the frequencies 1.8 GHz (DECT) and 2.45 GHz (Wi-Fi) and an exposure time of 10 min. The emitters were 1 m distant from the test subjects. The HRV parameters SDNN, RMSSD, LF and HF were recorded from 60 adults in three runs, totaling up to 154 recordings. Effects were evident for the parameter SDNN. In two runs, HRV changed from control to exposure phase, in one run from exposure phase to control. The cofactors smoking, coffee consumption, and the use of strong medications did not modulate EMF effects. HRV seems to be suitable to detect effects of radio- frequency electromagnetic fields on humans under certain conditions. In the future, prolonged exposure and new frequencies (5G) should be included in order to provide a better description of RF-EMF effects in modern office environments. dx.doi.org.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

HRV parameters (SDNN, RMSSD, LF, HF) were recorded during control and exposure phases with 1.8 GHz (DECT) and 2.45 GHz (Wi‑Fi) emitters at 1 m distance for 10 minutes. Effects were reported for SDNN, with changes observed between control and exposure phases across runs; smoking, coffee consumption, and strong medications did not modulate the reported EMF effects.

Outcomes measured

• heart rate variability (HRV)
• SDNN
• RMSSD
• LF
• HF

Limitations

• Exposure duration was 10 minutes
• Only frequencies 1.8 GHz (DECT) and 2.45 GHz (Wi‑Fi) were assessed
• Abstract reports effects mainly for SDNN; other HRV parameters not clearly described as affected
• Run-to-run inconsistency in direction of change (control→exposure in two runs; exposure→control in one run)

Suggested hubs

• school-wi-fi (0.25)
  Includes Wi‑Fi (2.45 GHz) exposure, though in an office setting rather than schools.

{
    "study_type": "other",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "DECT and Wi‑Fi in modern office environment",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "10 min"
    },
    "population": "60 adults",
    "sample_size": 60,
    "outcomes": [
        "heart rate variability (HRV)",
        "SDNN",
        "RMSSD",
        "LF",
        "HF"
    ],
    "main_findings": "HRV parameters (SDNN, RMSSD, LF, HF) were recorded during control and exposure phases with 1.8 GHz (DECT) and 2.45 GHz (Wi‑Fi) emitters at 1 m distance for 10 minutes. Effects were reported for SDNN, with changes observed between control and exposure phases across runs; smoking, coffee consumption, and strong medications did not modulate the reported EMF effects.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "Exposure duration was 10 minutes",
        "Only frequencies 1.8 GHz (DECT) and 2.45 GHz (Wi‑Fi) were assessed",
        "Abstract reports effects mainly for SDNN; other HRV parameters not clearly described as affected",
        "Run-to-run inconsistency in direction of change (control→exposure in two runs; exposure→control in one run)"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "unknown",
    "keywords": [
        "RF-EMF",
        "radio-frequency electromagnetic fields",
        "heart rate variability",
        "HRV",
        "SDNN",
        "RMSSD",
        "LF",
        "HF",
        "DECT",
        "Wi-Fi",
        "modern office environment"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "school-wi-fi",
            "weight": 0.25,
            "reason": "Includes Wi‑Fi (2.45 GHz) exposure, though in an office setting rather than schools."
        }
    ]
}

Comments

Log in to comment.

No comments yet.