Temperature induced in the testicular and related tissues due to electromagnetic fields exposure at 900 MHz and 1800 MHz

Abstract

Increased testicular temperature adversely affects the reproductive system in the male. Environmental conditions, namely high ambient temperature and electromagnetic fields (EMFs), influence the temperature increase in the human body. This study considers the computationally determined specific absorption rate (SAR) and the heat transfer in a piecewise-homogeneous human model of the male reproductive organs and upper thigh exposed to an electric dipole antenna. The study focuses on increases in testicular temperature due to EMF absorption. Much attention is paid to the effects of the operating frequency and exposure time on the SAR and temperature increases induced by exposure to a near-field EMF. The electric field, SAR and temperature distributions in various tissues during exposure to EMFs are obtained by numerical simulation of EM wave propagation and an unsteady bioheat transfer model. This study indicated that when the model is exposed to EMFs at the frequencies of 900 and 1800MHz, the highest SAR values are obtained in the scrotum. In the testis, which is the most sensitive part of the male reproductive system, the SAR value of the 900MHz frequency is significantly higher than that of 1800MHz, while there are no significant differences in the temperature increases between the two operating frequencies. The obtained results may be of assistance in determining exposure limits for the power output of wireless transmitters, and their operating frequency for use with humans. Significant of this workThe study focuses on increases in testicular temperature due to EMF absorption. Much attention is paid to the effects of the operating frequency and exposure time on the SAR and temperature increases induced by exposure to a near-field EMF. The electric field, SAR and temperature distributions in various tissues during exposure to EMFs are obtained by numerical simulation of EM wave propagation and an unsteady bioheat transfer model. The obtained results may be of assistance in determining exposure limits for the power output of wireless transmitters, and their operating frequency for use with humans.