Electromagnetic Field Monitoring Research Articles

The exposure analysis of the long-term broadband EMF monitoring in the campus area of the University of Novi Sad.

Due to wide prevalence of electromagnetic field (EMF) sources in human surrounding, EMF-level measurements and corresponding exposure assessment have imposed as an important topic. With an intention to present an approach to the long-term exposure assessment in EMF RATEL network, this paper conveys a high-level statistical analysis of the high-frequency exposure data, acquired during the 5-y time period, for the case study of monitoring sensor installed in the area of the Novi Sad University campus. Time series of exposure values were averaged on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis, and their yearly comparison was performed. Results showed clear differences between the day and night hours, as well between working and weekend days. Regarding exposure values, averaged on the monthly basis, the impact of COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 can be noticed. Finally, the highest obtained exposure values (electric field squared) were 22 times below the maximal allowable level, according to the Serbian legislation.

Electromagnetic Field Monitoring by Fixed Stations in Romania: Data Processing Methods and Outcomes

Abstract Electromagnetic field (EMF) monitoring activities provide transparent information to the public interested in the safety levels of human exposure when using various radiofrequency (RF) emitting technologies. In the present work, we investigate different methods of data processing that enable relevant knowledge extraction from the databases gathered by the Romanian EMF-fixed monitoring network. Four categories of methods are proposed and illustrated by investigating the situation of electromagnetic exposure at three locations in Bucharest, during 25 months. The conducted application methods enables field level distributions and trends, time-variability on the short- and long-term basis, cumulative influence comparison and sensing of the significant changes in the environment.

Public exposure to broadband electromagnetic fields and its association with population density and building density: The case study of Beijing

The gradual increase in electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure levels poses a potential threat to human health and the normal operation of electronic systems. In order to know the environmental EMF conditions, measurements were carried out on roads of about 400 km in the urban area of Beijing, China. The measurement results show that the electric field strength of about 89% of the sampling points is within 3 V/m, and the electric field strength of other sampling points is relatively high. Combined with further spectrum analysis, it was found that the electric field strength of one road section exceeded the national standard limits. In addition, to help quickly identify the general condition of the environmental EMF, a set of procedures for mining the association rules between the electric field strength and population density and building density is proposed in this paper. The final association rules show that the electric field strength is usually lower than 1.5 V/m in areas with medium or lower population density and areas with low building density; the electric field strength in areas with extremely high population density and areas with high building density is usually 1.5-4 V/m; while the electric field strength higher than 4 V/m mainly occurs in areas with extremely high population density. It is recommended to focus on strengthening the monitoring of EMF in areas with extremely high population density, and at the same time continuously pay attention to the trend of the urban EMF levels, so as to achieve early warning and treatment of relevant risks.

RF-EMF Exposure Assessments in Greek Schools to Support Ubiquitous IoT-Based Monitoring in Smart Cities

Everyday living environments concentrate a growing amount of wireless communications leading to increased public concern for radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields (EMF) exposure. Recent technological advances are turning the focus on Internet of Things (IoT) systems that enable automated and continuous real-time EMF monitoring, facing however several challenges mainly stemming from infrastructural costs. This paper seeks to provide a comprehensive view of RF-EMF levels in Greece and evidence-based decision support for a spatially prioritized deployment of an IoT RF-EMF monitoring system. We applied the stratified sampling method to estimate Electric Field Strength (EFS) in the 27MHz-3GHz range in 661 schools. Three different residential areas were considered, i.e. urban, semi-urban and rural. Results showed that the 95% confidence interval for the EFS is (0.40, 0.44) with central value equal to the sample mean 0.42 V/m. We obtained strong evidence that the mean EFS value for all Greek schools is 0.42, which is 52 times lower than the Greek safety limit and equal to 1% of international limits. Mean EFS values of individual residential areas were also significantly below safety limits. Rural areas displayed the highest EFS peaks comprising the strongest candidate to start the deployment of an IoT RF-EMF monitoring system from.

Electromagnetic Fields Exposure Assessment in Europe Utilizing Publicly Available Data

The ever-increasing use of wireless communication systems during the last few decades has raised concerns about the potential health effects of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) on humans. Safety limits and exposure assessment methods were developed and are regularly updated to mitigate health risks. Continuous radiofrequency EMF monitoring networks and in situ measurement campaigns provide useful information about environmental EMF levels and their variations over time and in different microenvironments. In this study, published data from the five largest monitoring networks and from two extensive in situ measurement campaigns in different European countries were gathered and processed. Median electric field values for monitoring networks across different countries lay in the interval of 0.67-1.51 V/m. The median electric field value across different microenvironments, as evaluated from in situ measurements, varied from 0.10 V/m to 1.42 V/m. The differences between networks were identified and mainly attributed to variations in population density. No significant trends in the temporal evolution of EMF levels were observed. The influences of parameters such as population density, type of microenvironment, and height of measurement on EMF levels were investigated.

The Comparison of EMF Monitoring Campaigns in Vicinity of Power Distribution Facilities

Monitoring of electromagnetic field (EMF) near power distribution facilities, both in the low- and the high-frequency ranges, has become highly demanded in recent years. The reason lies in the accumulated concerns on public health, which is mostly caused by the evolution of electric power and communication infrastructure, in and around the power substations, as well as their closeness to residential areas. In this paper, the initial comparative analysis of the EMF monitoring results of three one-day campaigns, in 2015, 2018 and 2020, performed in the vicinity of the Serbian high-power distribution substation “Novi Sad 7”, is presented. The overall EMF levels in all campaigns comply with the reference levels prescribed by the Serbian legislation, including some new EMF sources which were detected in 2018 and 2020. Likewise, the used continuous monitoring has demonstrated suitability to systematically address EMF fluctuation on daily basis, as well as corresponding concerns on EMF exposure.

Comparative analysis of EMF monitoring campaigns in the campus area of the University of Novi Sad.

Following an increasing number of artificial electromagnetic field (EMF) sources in human surrounding, a number of research studies have been devoted to the issue of environmental EMF pollution. A particular attention has been attributed to the highly sensitive EMF zones, where people can stay for a longer period of time, which, among others, includes university campuses. Thus, the modern approach of long-term EMF monitoring has been established, carrying out cumulative field strength measurements at locations that are most visited by student population and university staff. The goal was to establish periodic and systematic EMF investigation over such highly sensitive areas, through a standardized procedure for EMF monitoring. In this paper, details about two EMF monitoring campaigns over the University of Novi Sad campus were presented, performing comparative analysis of their results. The obtained results revealed the increase (up to four times) of the cumulative field strength values, as well as the general population exposure, at specific locations. Between these two campaigns, the emergence of the new base station, as well as numerous Wi-Fi networks, was noticed in the campus. Consequently, the highest field strength values were acquired at two locations, most directly exposed to the main beams of base station's antennas, although all obtained values were at least five times lower than the minimal reference levels prescribed by the Serbian legislation. Even though such results are acceptable, the future monitoring campaigns should be planned, particularly since the installation of new EMF sources are expected in the campus of the University of Novi Sad.

Analysis of the relationship between electromagnetic radiation characteristics and urban functions in highly populated urban areas

The electromagnetic environment (EME) in cities is becoming increasingly complex, and the resulting potential health hazards have attracted widespread attention. Large-scale field observations and monitoring of electromagnetic fields were performed in Xiamen Island over the past six years. The results show that the integrated electric field intensity in Xiamen Island ranged from 0.32 V/m to 1.70 V/m, while the integrated magnetic flux density ranged from 0.11 μT to 0.50 μT; where more electric power facilities and electronic equipment are present in the island, the electric and magnetic field strengths are higher; the radiation power of 2nd Generation mobile communication (2G) is higher than that of 3rd Generation mobile communication (3G) and 4th Generation mobile communication (4G), the coverage of the 3G signal was more uniform than the others and the 4G communication signal's coverage is still developing. The relationship between the EME characteristics and urban functions has been analyzed in this study. Results showed that electric field intensity had no correlation with urban functional areas, magnetic flux density had a positive correlation with residential area (q = 0.29); 2G and 4G radiation power are positively related to the educational (Edu) function area (960 MHz q = 0.22, 1.8 GHz q = 0.47, 2.61 GHz q = 0.28); there was a positive relationship between 2G (1.8 GHz) radiation power and residential area (q = 0.2). We concluded that there is a strong link between the Xiamen Island's EME and the distribution of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) sources, the denser and wider distributed EMR sources lead to a more complicated urban EME.

A long term geomagnetic deep sounding analysis from a two-dimensional magnetometer array in Central Italy

Following the Mw 6.3 earthquake that hit the city of L'Aquila (Central Italy) on the 6th April 2009, a scientific project was proposed with the aim of investigating the Abruzzo area by means of different disciplinary approaches including geological, seismic, and physical studies. Electromagnetic field monitoring in the 0.01–500 mHz frequency band was implemented for the investigation of electromagnetic signals in the Earth's crust. Three measurement stations were installed in a tectonically active area with a radius of about 10 km. Each site was equipped with a fluxgate magnetometer with a 1 Hz sampling rate. This paper describes a long term geomagnetic deep sounding analysis for each site, aimed at investigating the dimensionality of the electrical structure of the subsurface in the area involved in the survey. According to a very simplified RL circuit model, some electrical properties of subsurface are also deduced.

The effect of exposure to low frequency electromagnetic fields (EMF) as an integral part of the housing system on anxiety-related behaviour, cognition and welfare in two strains of laboratory mouse.

Electromagnetic field (EMF) technology has the potential to improve scientific data capture and welfare assessment by allowing automated data collection from individual cages. However, it is important to determine any impact that a new technology itself may have on animal welfare, and previous studies have found contrasting results of EMF on laboratory rodent anxiety-like behaviour and cognition. We therefore investigated whether there was an effect of low frequency EMF experienced continuously over a six-week period, as an integral part of the animal housing system, on measures of mouse anxiety-related behaviour, cognition and welfare. We housed mice (N = 80) of two strains (BALB/cAnNCrl and C57BL/6NCrl) separately in Individually Ventilated Cages (IVCs) in groups of four, either with the EMF plate turned ‘on’ or ‘off’ (n = 5). Some measures, e.g. food and water utilisation, were collected at regular intervals, whereas measures of anxiety-like behaviour (e.g. open field test) and cognitive performance (novel-object recognition test) were collected only at the end of the study. We found expected strong strain differences in most measures, e.g. latency to leave the starting square in an open field test, with C57BL/6NCrl mice moving away sooner, and interactions between strain and time for those measures recorded at more than one time point, e.g. significant weight gain over time for both strains, but with BALB/cAnNCrl mice weighing more. However, we found no significant effects of treatment (EMF ‘on’/‘off’) for any of the measures collected. These results indicate that, for the measures recorded here, there was no measurable impact on the behaviour and welfare of low frequency EMF exposure experienced continuously over a six-week period. Housing systems that include EMF monitoring technology may therefore be suitable for use without influencing either animal welfare or scientific outcomes.

Геоэкологические аспекты обеспечения электромагнитной безопасности населения в условиях городской среды (на примере Санкт-Петербурга)

The research of actual problems of safety in local emergency situations electric and magnetic fields of industrial frequency in St. Petersburg and vicinities is executed. It is established that sanitary-protective and security zones of high-voltage lines of the standard size not always provide decrease in intensity of electric fields to maximum permissible values. Dependence of intensity of electric fields of transmission lines on meteorological factors is revealed. It is established that electric fields with significant indicators of intensity are shown only near to air high-voltage lines. Working out of a technique and the organisation regular the researches, directed on monitoring and mapping of electromagnetic fields is necessary. The sizes of sanitary-protective and security zones should consider the climatic factors influencing dielectric properties of atmospheric air. Magnetic induction is not more than maximum permissible level in all cases. Magnetic fields not form sharp maxima but have practically everywhere presented city background from set of sources. Thus average indexes of a magnetic induction that above, then more intensively technogenic loading. Abnormal high values of a magnetic induction in separate points of residential areas are noted, as display of emergency situations of the technogenic character, explained by influence of electric cables of an underground lining.

Utilization of the boundary exposure assessment for the broadband low-frequency EMF monitoring

Abstract Exposure to low-frequency electromagnetic fields (EMF) has become an issue considering a number of high-power low-frequency EMF sources installed in residential environment. Therefore, the EMF monitoring and appropriate exposure assessment are highly important regarding the safety, since residents can spend considerable time in the vicinity of such high-power objects. This short paper brings the case study related to the broadband continuous monitoring of the low-frequency magnetic field in the vicinity of the outdoor power substation, as a particularly important and interesting EMF source. Moreover, the exposure assessment of the general population, performed by a newly proposed adaptive boundary exposure approach, is presented. This approach assesses the upper and lower daily exposure boundaries, offering the range where real exposure is positioned. The reduction of difference between boundaries can be attained by frequency spectrum analysis, while in this case study the initial boundary difference was reduced from 99.6% to 33.3%.

The SEMONT’s database support for quad-band monitoring of EMF exposure

The expected technological development, mostly found in the communication domain, will accordingly increase the number of artificial electromagnetic field (EMF) sources, as well as corresponding EMF exposure in the environment. Thus, EMF monitoring has been required worldwide and some innovative monitoring systems are being developed. Some of them are intended to simultaneously perform long-term monitoring and exposure assessment, as well as to timely inform the public on present EMF levels. The Serbian Electromagnetic Field Monitoring Network – SEMONT is one of such systems which has been activated recently. Considering the diversity of the existing EMF sources, as well as the opinion of the public that base stations generally contribute to the increased EMF level, the SEMONT system was designed to perform monitoring of the high-frequency electric field strength in four bands. First, in a wideband, from 100 kHz to 3 GHz, it observes the field strength from all local sources, and then in three sub-ranges of GSM 900, GSM 1800 and UMTS 2100, using the modern quad-band Narda AMB 8057/03 sensor station. In this paper, the SEMONT’s database support for the quad-band sensor utilization, as well as the results of initial in situ monitoring, have been presented. Regarding the test location, the acquired field strength results in all bands appear to be far below the Serbian prescribed reference levels.

The adaptive boundary approach for exposure assessment in a broadband EMF monitoring

Abstract The boundary approach for the assessment of daily exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) has been recently proposed for the continuous and broadband EMF monitoring of the Serbian Electromagnetic Field Monitoring Network – SEMONT. This approach is based on the determination of the daily upper and lower exposure boundaries, combining data of the continuous in situ EMF monitoring in a broadband frequency range and the minimal and maximal prescribed reference levels. The real exposure is positioned between these boundaries. In this paper, the enhancement of the boundary approach is presented. By adjusting the existing boundaries and reducing the difference between them, the precision of the daily exposure assessment in the SEMONT system has been improved. The frequency selective measurement has been used to determine the frequencies on which EMF sources radiate over a particular area and in situ location. Consequently, the new minimal and maximal reference levels can be selected; these are suitable for a particular in situ location and should be used for the calculation of exposure boundaries on that location. A simple in situ test measurement of the high-frequency electric field strength was performed, in order to verify the proposed adaptive boundary approach. The analysis shows that this approach attained reduction in boundaries difference of 36.25%, regarding the Serbian legislation, resulting with the increased precision of the daily exposure assessment for the broadband EMF monitoring.

The SEMONT continuous monitoring of daily EMF exposure in an open area environment

Wireless networks traffic has experienced a considerable growth in recent years. Likewise, it is to be expected that billions of objects will be connected to the Internet in years to come, many of them wirelessly. Such increase in a number of wireless connections and the inevitability of wireless communications in proximity of users highlight the healthcare concern on electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure. Thus, the intelligent monitoring systems, such as the Serbian Electromagnetic Field Monitoring Network-SEMONT-have been required to be developed and utilized for continuous and real-time EMF monitoring, as well as for the assessment of the potential in situ daily exposure of population. This paper presents the results of the SEMONT initial campaign of continuous monitoring of the high-frequency electric field strength over the campus of the University of Novi Sad, as an open area environment. Several locations, most frequently visited by the student population in their everyday activities, have been monitored during the rush hour in order to determine the fluctuation of daily exposure on this, usually considered, highly sensitive area. The results of monitoring suggest that potential exposure is far below the allowable limit, regarding reference levels prescribed by the Serbian legislation for the general population.

EMF monitoring-concepts, activities, gaps and options.

Exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) is a cause of concern for many people. The topic will likely remain for the foreseeable future on the scientific and political agenda, since emissions continue to change in characteristics and levels due to new infrastructure deployments, smart environments and novel wireless devices. Until now, systematic and coordinated efforts to monitor EMF exposure are rare. Furthermore, virtually nothing is known about personal exposure levels. This lack of knowledge is detrimental for any evidence-based risk, exposure and health policy, management and communication. The main objective of the paper is to review the current state of EMF exposure monitoring activities in Europe, to comment on the scientific challenges and deficiencies, and to describe appropriate strategies and tools for EMF exposure assessment and monitoring to be used to support epidemiological health research and to help policy makers, administrators, industry and consumer representatives to base their decisions and communication activities on facts and data.

Study of energy parameters of abiotic environment in near-field low-frequency electromagnetic field source zone

One of the tasks of system ecology is the study of changes in the abiotic environment as a result of economic activity. Currently, environmental monitoring of low-frequency electromagnetic fields in the abiotic environment of built-over lands is based on the study of the amplitude spectrum of electric-field and magnetic-field intensities. On the basis of the similarity of wave processes the authors theoretically showed the possibility of intensymmetric approach to monitoring and definition of complex intensity of low-frequency electromagnetic field. The authors presented the theoretical and practical justification of the study of the active component of the integrated intensity of the near-field zone of low-frequency source of electromagnetic influence. Determination of the active component of the intensity will help to find the direction of the radiation source and develop the most effective methods of protection. Besides, the conducting of intensymmetric measurements of low-frequency electromagnetic fields will allow proceeding to the evaluation of the total negative impact on human and natural environment.

Software Engineering for Mapping Radio Frequency Pollution

Software Engineering for Mapping Radio Frequency PollutionElectromagnetic fields radiation has raised concerns within several segments of the population in the past three decades. Many studies proved inconclusive, in part due to the scarcity of data. We propose the idea of a geographical model based radiation pollution database. We discuss networked sensing technology for detection and monitoring of electromagnetic fields. We elaborate on software engineering issues for the visualization in real time of electromagnetic field mappings and the dissemination of information through various means and levels of access. We propose the database be complimented by a data algorithmic software solution for the extraction of patterns.

Geological monitoring of the rock mass state using the paradigm of physical mesomechanics

The principles of the physical mesomechanics paradigm are a constructive means for studying a nonstationary geological medium. In situ experiments in real rock masses subjected to a strong anthropogenic effect provide constraints on the behavior of geophysical fields in the geological medium. The active geophysical monitoring of electromagnetic or seismic fields plays an important role in the study of such dynamic systems. We propose a new parameter of the interval intensity of disintegration zones determined from active electromagnetic monitoring data in order to quantitatively classify the rock mass state in terms of three gradations, stable, unstable, and intermediate. The temporal variation of this parameter is studied. Seismological ore prospecting data are compared with the electromagnetic monitoring results.

Electromagnetic field monitoring and control systems: state-of-the-art and work-in-progress.

The development of EMF monitoring and control systems unquestionably represents one of the major innovations in the range of methodologies for evaluating, through measurement, the so-called environmental electromagnetic pollution. The interest recently shown by ARPA and municipal and provincial councils for setting up electromagnetic field monitoring and control systems has created significant developments in the field under examination. This paper attempts to provide a complete overview of the technical possibilities provided by electromagnetic field monitoring and control systems in the environment and their possible applications. Equipment currently available and under development is described, as well as the most significant work-in-progress in this sector. In the near future, several monitoring systems will be proposed and set up by municipalities and provinces, or directly by telecommunications companies. For this reason, it is more than ever necessary that agreement be reached at a national level to define a unified methodological and operating approach to enable monitoring data from different sources to be compared.