Response to “Children Absorb Higher Doses of Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Radiation From Mobile Phones Than Adults” and “Yes the Children Are More Exposed to Radiofrequency Energy From Mobile Telephones Than Adults”

Abstract

This is a response to two critical comments on our 2014 paper in the IEEE Access. That paper reviewed numerical dosimetry/modeling studies on the exposure [in terms of specific absorption rate (SAR)] to the user of a mobile phone to radiofrequency energy, and possible differences in exposure to children versus adults. The main focus was on the peak spatial average SAR (psSAR) in the head, which is the relevant quantity for assessing compliance with national and international exposure limits for mobile phones. Morris et al . criticized this paper for not accurately presenting the conclusions of the studies that it reviewed, despite the fact that these conclusions were summarized in this paper by quoting the original authors. However, their critique reflects a simple misreading of our paper and confusion about different metrics of exposure. A second critique, by Gandhi, noted age- and gender-related differences in the absorption of RF energy in the head. We agree with his comments, if they are interpreted as referring to the psSAR in the brain (which is different from the psSAR for the head as a whole and is not used for compliance assessment). This response briefly reviews major factors that limit the relevance of numerical dosimetry/modeling studies under tightly controlled conditions used for compliance assessment to real-world exposures to users of mobile phones.