Dosimetric Electromagnetic Safety of People With Implants: A Neglected Population?

AI: Melanie Research RF Safe Research Library Jan 1, 2025 CONCERN MEDIUM

This dosimetric study evaluated whether existing EM safety guidelines protect individuals with conductive implants by assessing implant-related local field enhancements. Across 10 kHz to 1 GHz, the authors report large increases in psSAR10mg and local electric fields near implants, particularly below 100 MHz. In human anatomical models with implants exposed to an 85 kHz wireless power transfer coil and a 450 MHz dipole, the study reports guideline exceedances and elevated psSAR10mg, while the modeled temperature rise at 450 MHz remained under 0.4 K after six minutes. The authors conclude current guidelines are insufficient for people with implants and propose regulatory changes.

Key points

The paper examines whether current EM exposure guidelines adequately protect people with conductive implants.
Generic bare and insulated implants were evaluated across tissue properties and frequencies from 10 kHz to 1 GHz.
The authors report local enhancements up to 10 dB at 1 GHz and over 100 dB below 100 MHz for psSAR10mg and local electric fields.
In an anatomical model with implants, exposure to an 85 kHz wireless power transfer coil reportedly exceeded safety limits by more than a factor of 10.
In an anatomical model exposed to a 450 MHz dipole source, psSAR10mg reportedly reached 7.9 W/kg.
The modeled temperature rise at 450 MHz was reported as less than 0.4 K after six minutes.
The authors state that assumptions about sufficiently uniform induced fields are not valid for implanted individuals, especially below 450 MHz.
The paper proposes regulatory adjustments to address a perceived safety gap for people with implants.

Referenced studies & papers

Relevant papers in OpenMel

Source: Open original

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