Propagation modelling, mobile phone traffic data, questionnaires, personal measurements and mobile phone apps: an integrated approach for exposure assessment

Abstract

Background The ongoing HERMES (Health Effects Related to Mobile PhonE use in adolescentS) study aims to prospectively investigate whether the exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) emitted by mobile phones and other wireless communication devices affects cognitive functions or causes behavioural problems and non-specific health disturbances in adolescents. The exposure assessment will be approached using propagation modelling, questionnaire data, objective mobile phone traffic data, personal RF-EMF measurements and apps (mobile phone applications). Aims The objective is to predict the mean RF-EMF exposure for the study population of the HERMES study. Methods Detailed mobile phone traffic data are provided from the mobile phone operators. Residential exposure from fixed sitetransmitters will be assessed using a validated geospatial propagation model and RF-EMF measurements in the school buildings were carried out. Asubgroup of the study participants will participate in personal measurements carrying a portable measurement device, filling in a time-activity diary and using apps. The time-activity diary app records the locations and activities and tracks the position of the participants. Another app traces the field strength and the emission source of different frequency bands and yet another app records how the mobile phone is being used in terms of laterality, amount of data traffic, calling and texting. Results 24 schools and 441 adolescents participated in the baseline investigation of the HERMES study. Preliminary results of measurements in 22 schools show an average RF-EMF exposure of 0.134 V/m and a median of 0.121 V/m. Highest observed exposure value in a school building was found to be 0.225 V/m. Conclusions The integrated approach used for the exposure assessment will allow detecting which role the mobile phone and other wireless communication devices play for the personal RF-EMF exposure in the everyday life of the adolescents.