Abstract
The aim is to evaluate specific absorption rate (SAR) values from exposure near handheld ultra-high frequency radiofrequency identification readers (UHF RFID guns—small electronic devices, or even portable computers with relevant accessories—emitting up to several watts of electromagnetic field (EMF) to search for RFID sensors (tags) attached to marked objects), in order to test the hypothesis that they have an insignificant environmental influence. Simulations of SAR in adult male and female models in seven exposure scenarios (gun near the head, arm, chest, hip/thigh of the operator searching for tags, or near to the chest and arm of the scanned person or a bystander). The results showed EMF exposure compliant with SAR limits for general public exposure (ICNIRP/European Recommendation 1999/519/EC) at emissions up to 1 W (reading range 3.5–11 m, depending on tag sensitivity). In the worst-case scenario, guns with a reading range exceeding 5 m (>2 W emission) may cause an SAR exceeding the general public limits in the palm of the user and the torso of the user, a bystander, or a scanned person; occupational exposure limits may be exceeded when emission >5 W. Users of electronic medical implants and pregnant women should be treated as individuals at particular risk in close proximity to guns, even at emissions of 1 W. Only UHF RFID guns emitting below 1 W may be considered as environmentally insignificant EMF sources.
Highlights
At a level of radiated power exceeding 5 W, occupational exposure limits may be exceeded in the palm, and at above 10 W of emission, in the torso of the UHF Radio frequency identification (RFID) gun users
The results of this study show that the electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure while using UHF RFID gun readers, evaluated by numerical simulations of realistic exposure scenarios, do not cause specific absorption rate (SAR) values exceeding general public limits
The use of UHF RFID guns with a reading range of 5–15 m, which may need the use of emitted power at the level of 2–20 W may cause SAR values exceeding general public limits, in the palm of the user and in the torso of the user, a bystander or a scanned person
Summary
Radio frequency identification (RFID) is the most common and fastest-growing wireless technology of automatic identification and data capture (AIDC) that identifies and tracks RFID sensors (tags) attached to objects. Two-way radio transmitter-receivers, called interrogators or readers, send electromagnetic field (EMF) to the tag and read its response, with the possibility of modifying the data stored in the tag. An RFID reader is responsible for sensing (reading) and writing data on tags and for powering up the most popular passive tags, which collect energy by wireless interaction from EMF emitted by a nearby. The tag does not need to be within the line of sight of the reader, so it may be embedded inside the tracked object
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