Electromagnetic Field Exposure Research Articles

Exploring RF-EMF levels in Swiss microenvironments: An evaluation of environmental and auto-induced downlink and uplink exposure in the era of 5G

The advancement of cellular networks requires updating measurement protocols to better study radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure emitted from devices and base stations. This paper aims to present a novel activity-based microenvironmental survey protocol to measure environmental, auto-induced downlink (DL), and uplink (UL) RF-EMF exposure in the era of 5G. We present results when applying the protocol in Switzerland.Five study areas with different degrees of urbanization were selected, in which microenvironments were defined to assess RF-EMF exposure in the population. Three scenarios of data transmission were performed using a user equipment in flight mode (non-user), inducing DL traffic (max DL), or UL traffic (max UL). The exposimeter ExpoM-RF 4, continuously measuring 35 frequency bands ranging from broadcasting to Wi-Fi sources, was carried in a backpack and placed 30cm apart from the user equipment.The highest median RF-EMF levels during the non-user scenario were measured in an urban business area (1.02 mW/m2). Here, DL and broadcasting bands contributed the most to total RF-EMF levels. Compared to the non-user scenario, exposure levels increased substantially during max DL due to the 5G band at 3.5 GHz with 50% of the median levels between 3.20-12.13 mW/m2, mostly in urban areas. Note that the time-division nature of this band prevents distinguishing between exposure contribution from DL beamforming or UL signals emitted at this frequency. The highest levels were measured during max UL, especially in rural microenvironments, with 50% of the median levels between 12.08-37.50 mW/m2. Mobile UL 2.1 GHz band was the primary contributor to exposure during this scenario.The protocol was successfully applied in Switzerland and used in nine additional countries. Inducing DL and UL traffic resulted in a substantial increase in exposure, whereas environmental exposure levels remained similar to previous studies. This data is important for epidemiological research and risk communication/management.

Effects of anthropogenic electromagnetic fields used for subsurface oil and gas exploration (controlled-source electromagnetics, CSEM) on the early development of Atlantic haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus).

Controlled source electromagnetics (CSEM) uses electromagnetic fields (EMF) to detect oil reservoirs. Atlantic haddock, Melanogrammus aeglefinus, is a commercially important demersal fish species that can potentially be impacted by such surveys due to potential overlap with egg distribution. In this study, haddock eggs were exposed to EMF, replicating CSEM survey conditions in a laboratory. Three different EMF intensities were used to replicate different distances between the EMF source and the organism. Exposures lasted for 15min. A worst-case scenario, i.e. 1h exposure at the highest EMF level was also carried out. None of the treatments caused malformations, mortality or affected hatching of eggs. However, EMF exposure induced tachycardia in newly hatched larvae and reduced the size of their yolk sac reserve. The effect was significant at the lowest EMF intensity (corresponding to 1000m between the EMF source and the exposed subject) and increased with exposure time and intensity.

Estimating Human Fat and Muscle Conductivity From 100 Hz to 1 MHz Using Measurements and Modelling.

The electrical conductivity of human tissues is a major source of uncertainty when modelling the interactions between electromagnetic fields and the human body. The aim of this study is to estimate human tissue conductivities in vivo over the low-frequency range, from 30 Hz to 1 MHz. Noninvasive impedance measurements, medical imaging, and 3D surface scanning were performed on the forearms of ten volunteer test subjects. This data set was used to create subject-specific forearm models, numerically solve an electrostatic forward problem, after which the tissue conductivities could be estimated by solving a probabilistic inverse problem. The electrical conductivity of skeletal muscle was found to be highly anisotropic at frequencies below 10 kHz, with conductivities of 0.13 (95% credible interval (CrI): 0.10-0.16) S/m perpendicular and 0.56 (CrI: 0.52-0.60) S/m parallel to the muscle fibre direction. This anisotropy decreased with increasing frequency with these values being 0.65 (CrI: 0.48-1.00) S/m and 0.78 (CrI: 0.72-0.85) S/m at 1 MHz. The conductivity of subcutaneous fat was found to be almost constant across the considered frequency range, with values of 0.21 (CrI: 0.12-0.31) S/m and 0.22 (CrI: 0.07-0.37) S/m at 10 kHz and 1 MHz, respectively. Our study provides robust uncertainty bounds for human tissue conductivity values, which are crucial in the computational assessment of human electromagnetic field exposure. Additionally, our findings are applicable to other fields of modelling such as medical stimulation or measurement technologies.

Mitigating recurrent Urinary tract infections using neutrophil activation by a low frequency electromagnetic field exposure: A hypothesis

Mitigating recurrent Urinary tract infections using neutrophil activation by a low frequency electromagnetic field exposure: A hypothesis

The Impact of Electromagnetic Field Exposure on Diabetes: A Narrative Review

Introduction: This literature review investigates the complex relationship between electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and diabetes, highlighting both therapeutic potentials and associated health risks. Emerging evidence suggests that exposure to specific types of EMFs, particularly pulsed EMFs (PEMF), may enhance insulin sensitivity and promote healing in diabetic patients. Materials and Methods: Studies have indicated significant improvements in microvascular blood flow and pancreatic function, suggesting a potential role for EMF therapy in diabetes management. Conversely, prolonged exposure to high-frequency EMFs, such as those that cell phones emanate and wireless devices, raises concerns regarding their impact on glucose metabolism. Results: A correlation was observed between chronic EMF exposure and increased insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and disruptions in hormonal balance, which can exacerbate hyperglycemia. Mechanistic insights reveal that elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and alterations in cortisol and glucagon levels may contribute to these adverse effects. Conclusion: Despite the promising therapeutic applications of certain EMFs, the existing literature presents significant variability in methodologies, limiting the generalizability of findings. Future research should focus on large-scale, longitudinal studies that encompass diverse populations to clarify the long-term effects of EMF exposure on diabetes. This review underscores the need for a balanced approach to EMF exposure, recognizing both its potential benefits and risks for individuals with diabetes, thereby informing clinical practices and public health policies.

Gaps in Knowledge Relevant to the "ICNIRP Guidelines for Limiting Exposure to Time-Varying Electric, Magnetic and Electromagnetic Fields (100 kHz TO 300 GHz)".

In the last 30 y, observational as well as experimental studies have addressed possible health effects of exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (EMF) and investigated potential interaction mechanisms. The main goal of ICNIRP is to protect people and the environment from detrimental exposure to all forms of non-ionizing radiation (NIR), providing advice and guidance by developing and disseminating exposure guidelines based on the available scientific research on specific parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. During the development of International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection's (ICNIRP's) 2020 radiofrequency EMF guidelines some gaps in the available data were identified. To encourage further research into knowledge gaps in research that would, if addressed, assist ICNIRP in further developing guidelines and setting revised recommendations on limiting exposure, data gaps that were identified during the development of the 2020 radiofrequency EMF guidelines, in conjunction with subsequent consideration of the literature, are described in this Statement. Note that this process and resultant recommendations were not intended to duplicate more traditional research agendas, whose focus is on extending knowledge in this area more generally but was tightly focused on identifying the highest data gap priorities for guidelines development more specifically. The result of this distinction is that the present data gap recommendations do not include some gaps in the literature that in principle could be relevant to radiofrequency EMF health, but which were excluded because either the link between exposure and endpoint, or the link between endpoint and health, was not supported sufficiently by the literature. The evaluation of these research areas identified the following data gaps: (1) Issues concerning relations between radiofrequency EMF exposure and heat-induced pain; (2) Clarification of the relation between whole-body exposure and core temperature rise from 100 kHz to 300 GHz, as a function of exposure duration and combined EMF exposures; (3) Adverse effect thresholds and thermal dosimetry for a range of ocular structures; (4) Pain thresholds for contact currents under a range of exposure scenarios, including associated dosimetry; and (5) A range of additional dosimetry studies to both support future research, and also to improve the application of radiofrequency EMF exposure restrictions in future guidelines.Health Phys. 128(0):000-000; 2025.

Dose Estimation for Indoor Radon, Occupational Radiation, and Electromagnetic Field Exposure in a Nuclear Medicine Department in Turkiye.

In this study, the occupational radiation dose, radon gas, and non-ionizing radiation doses originating from electromagnetic fields (EMF) to which radiation workers are exposed were monitored and evaluated for 1 y. Using electronic personnel dosimeters (EPD), average daily radiation doses based on the number of patients and annual average effective dose results of radiation workers were obtained over a period of 1 y. Also, the annual effective dose and risk values were calculated for 8 h and 24 h by taking radon gas measurements at 2-mo intervals in the nuclear medicine department. Finally, electric field measurements were made one day a week in the selected areas. All the results obtained were compared with national and international dose limits. The results obtained as a result of EPD, radon gas, and EMF measurements made in the nuclear medicine department were found to be far below the international and national legal dose limits.

Improving Monitoring of Indoor RF-EMF Exposure Using IoT-Embedded Sensors and Kriging Techniques.

Distributed wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are widely used to enhance the quality and safety of various applications. These networks consist of numerous sensor nodes, often deployed in challenging terrains where maintenance is difficult. Efficient monitoring approaches are essential to maximize the functionality and lifespan of each sensor node, thereby improving the overall performance of the WSN. In this study, we propose a method to efficiently monitor radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) exposure using WSNs. Our approach leverages sensor nodes to provide real-time measurements, ensuring accurate and timely data collection. With the increasing prevalence of wireless communication systems, assessing RF-EMF exposure has become crucial due to public health concerns. Since individuals spend over 70% of their time indoors, it is vital to evaluate indoor RF-EMF exposure. However, this task is complicated by the complex indoor environments, furniture arrangements, temporal variability of exposure, numerous obstructions with unknown dielectric properties, and uncontrolled factors such as people's movements and the random positioning of furniture and doors. To address these challenges, we employ a sensor network to monitor RF-EMF exposure limits using embedded sensors. By integrating Internet of Things-embedded sensors with advanced modeling techniques, such as kriging, we characterize and model indoor RF-EMF downlink (DL) exposure effectively. Measurements taken in several buildings within a few hundred meters of base stations equipped with multiple cellular antennas (2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G) demonstrate that the kriging technique using the spherical model provides superior RF-EMF prediction compared with the exponential model. Using the spherical model, we constructed a high-resolution coverage map for the entire corridor, showcasing the effectiveness of our approach.

Effects of extremely low-frequency (50Hz) electromagnetic fields on vital organs of adult Wistar rats and viability of mouse fibroblast cells.

In recent years, scientific communities have been concerned about the potential health effects of periodic electromagnetic field exposure (≤1h/d). The objective of our study is to determine the impact of extremely low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic fields (ELF-PEMF) (1-3mT, 50Hz) on mouse fibroblast (red fluorescent protein (RFP)-L929) cells and adult Wistar rats to gain a comprehensive understanding of biological effects. We observed that RFP-L929 exhibits no significant changes in cell proliferation and morphology but mild elevation in aspartate aminotransferases, alanine aminotransferases, total bilirubin, serum creatinine, and creatine kinase-myocardial band levels in ELF-PEMF exposed groups under in vitro and in vivo conditions. However, the histological examination showed no significant alterations in tissue structure and morphologies. Our result suggests that 50-Hz ELF-PEMF exposure (1-3mT, 50Hz) with duration (<1h/d) can trigger mild changes in biochemical parameters, but it is insufficient to induce any pathological alterations.

Spatial Exposure of EMF from Phone Base Stations in the North of Libreville, Gabon

The electromagnetic environment became dense with the spread of its artificial sources in urban and rural areas. More and more publications are describing their unfavourable effects, including human well-being deterioration, disruption of the nervous system functions or cancer occurrence. Also, there is a legal loophole related to electromagnetic fields (EMF) in many countries. The aim of this contribution is to map people's exposure to EMF from phone base stations in the north of Libreville, Gabon. Data on phone base station emissions have been collected with Spectran 6080HF, processed with MCS Spectrum Analyser 2.1.6, transferred in a WPS spreadsheet, and converted to a shape file before mapping them in ArcMap and examining spatial concentration in QGis. Phone base station emissions vary in space and time between 0 to 488,09 V/m from June to December 2021. The threshold of phone base station emissions standards is exceeded at different periods for all mobile phone network operators, by the Salzburg Resolution and Gabonese standards. Furthermore, the concentration of EMF exposure varies in space and concerns more Akanda than Libreville. This fact explains the spatio-temporal variation of people at risk, as all types of districts and social classes are concerned. Based on the precautionary principle, and because this risk is a matter of accumulation of exposure, it is important to revise standards and raise awareness of EMF pollution as cancer cases and related diseases have grown amidst struggling health systems for years

Prediction of Electromagnetic Field Exposure at 20–100 GHz for Clothed Human Body Using an Adaptively Reconfigurable Architecture Neural Network With Weight Analysis (RAWA-NN) Framework

Prediction of Electromagnetic Field Exposure at 20–100 GHz for Clothed Human Body Using an Adaptively Reconfigurable Architecture Neural Network With Weight Analysis (RAWA-NN) Framework

Weavable, Reconfigurable Triboelectric Ferrofluid Fiber for Early Warning.

As communication technologies have become omnipresent, the prevalence of electromagnetic field (EMF) exposures poses possible health risks, particularly to vulnerable groups such as pregnant women. In response, we introduce a triboelectric ferrofluid fiber (TFF) that moves in response to EMF, thereby generating charge in a way that is self-powered. The TFF is flexible, stretchable (470%), and can be woven into fabrics. The TFF utilizes a soft-contact (ferrofluid-silicon rubber fiber) triboelectric core layer to enhance its sensitivity to EMF, enabling it to detect even minor electromagnetic fluctuations, such as those from cell phone typing. By integrating hydrogel electrodes that offer conductivity and minimal electromagnetic interference shielding, the TFF's sensitivity to magnetic fields is further amplified. Moreover, its open-circuit voltage output is increased by 50% compared to the conventional electrodes. Building on this technology, we designed a smart fabric for environmental early warning and potential real-time pulse monitoring, specifically tailored for the safety and healthcare needs of vulnerable groups. Finally, we developed a sensing and communication apparel (SCA) by integrating TFF into the apparel and exploring its capabilities in a wireless transmission of warning signals and long-distance NFC functionality.

CTNI-27. SYSTEMIC DELIVERY OF LOW ENERGY RADIOFREQUENCY ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS FOR THE TREATMENT OF PATIENTS WITH PRIMARY BRAIN TUMORS

Abstract BACKGROUND Tumor Treating Fields plus maintenance temozolomide (mTMZ) showed a survival advantage in the first-line glioblastoma (GBM) treatment. The survival benefit remains limited in patients with unmethylated MGMT gene promoter. The AutEMsys device emits low-energy amplitude modulated systemic electromagnetic fields (EMF) at patient specific frequencies. It is an outpatient procedure that can be integrated with mTMZ. METHODS This study involved a prospective compassionate access program targeting adult GBM patients using an intrabuccal EMF exposure via AutEMsys in addition to chemoRT+mTMZ. The program explored the effects on survival and patients’ reported quality-of-life (QOL) by EORTC-QL-C30. Patients underwent a 90-minute session of EMF exposure therapy repeated every 2 weeks until progression, deterioration in QOL or death. All patients had pathological specimens for diagnosis, IDH mutation status through NGS techniques, and MGMT promoter region methylation status. RESULTS 31 participants were enrolled, including 29 with GBM and 2 with diffuse midline glioma. 14 patients (45%) received EMF+chemoRT followed by EMF+mTMZ and 17 patients (55%) received EMF+mTMZ (post chemoRT). Survival time was measured from the start of mTMZ to the date of the last follow-up. The median overall survival (mOS) for all 31 patients was 26.0 months (95% CI: 14.4 – 37.2 months). Specifically for 21 patients with unmethylated MGMT, the mOS was 25.0 months (95% CI: 15.9 – 34.1 months). Similarly, for the 28 patients with IDH wildtype status, the mOS remained 26.0 months (95% CI: 9.6 – 42.4 months). The addition of AutEMsys with chemoRT+mTMZ demonstrated an improved role functioning in 79% of patients with 25% of these with &amp;gt;10-point score. CONCLUSION The AutEMsys device has shown promising initial results when added to chemoRT+mTMZ treatment of GBM. These findings warrant further prospective investigation and validation in a multicenter clinical trial setting.

Does radiofrequency radiation impact sleep? A double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, crossover pilot study.

The most common source of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Field (RF-EMF) exposures during sleep includes digital devices, yet there are no studies investigating the impact of multi-night exposure to electromagnetic fields emitted from a baby monitor on sleep under real-world conditions in healthy adults. Given the rise in the number of people reporting to be sensitive to manmade electromagnetic fields, the ubiquitous use of Wi-Fi enabled digital devices and the lack of real-world data, we investigated the effect of 2.45 GHz radiofrequency exposure during sleep on subjective sleep quality, and objective sleep measures, heart rate variability and actigraphy in healthy adults. This pilot study was a 4-week randomised, double-blind, crossover trial of 12 healthy adults. After a one-week run-in period, participants were randomised to exposure from either an active or inactive (sham) baby monitor for 7 nights and then crossed over to the alternate intervention after a one-week washout period. Subjective and objective assessments of sleep included the Pittsburgh Insomnia Rating Scale (PIRS-20), electroencephalography (EEG), actigraphy and heart rate variability (HRV) derived from electrocardiogram. Sleep quality was reduced significantly (p < 0.05) and clinically meaningful during RF-EMF exposure compared to sham-exposure as indicated by the PIRS-20 scores. Furthermore, at higher frequencies (gamma, beta and theta bands), EEG power density significantly increased during the Non-Rapid Eye Movement sleep (p < 0.05). No statistically significant differences in HRV or actigraphy were detected. Our findings suggest that exposure to a 2.45 GHz radiofrequency device (baby monitor) may impact sleep in some people under real-world conditions however further large-scale real-world investigations with specified dosimetry are required to confirm these findings.

Electromagnetic fields exposure and neuropsychological effects in young people

Abstract Background In recent years, there has been a large increase in the use of communication/connected devices and technologies. This raises a question about radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) exposure levels and neuropsychological effects of RF-EMF in young people. The aim of this study was to assess the pattern of use of communication/connected devices and technologies and its impact on cognition and mental health of early school age children in Poland. Methods The study population consists of 293 children from Polish Mother and Child Cohort (REPRO_PL). The study was based on questionnaire data covering type and duration of usage of communication/connected devices and technologies by mothers during pregnancy and children at age of 7 years. The environmental exposure to RF-EMF was also taken into account. Based on such data RF-EMF exposure was assessed. Child emotional and behavioral assessment was done by Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire whereas IQ and psychomotor development of children was performed by psychologist using Intelligence and Development Scales. Results About 75% of young people used smartphones (2% for voice calls and 7% for Internet browsing at least one hour per day). Tablet or laptop use was declared by 59% and 56% of respondents, respectively. More than 10% declared that they use these devices at least one hour a day. The main factors determining the use of new technology devices were parental age and education (p &amp;lt; 0.05) and the age at which youth started school education (p = 0.06). In multivariable regression model higher level of RF-EMF was associated with total difficulties and emotional problems (p &amp;lt; 0.05). Conclusions This study presents the pattern of use of new technology devices by early school age children in Poland and the association between the exposure to RF-EMF and child mental health. Key messages • The use of communication/connected devices and technologies is common among young people in Poland. • The exposure to RF-EMF can increase mental health problems among young people.

A Histological Study on the Effect of Different Methods of Mobile Phone Exposure on the Hippocampus in Adult Male Albino Rat

Abstract Introduction Using mobile phones has dramatically increased in the last few years. Mobile phones are carried mainly near the head during talking. Electromagnetic fields (EMF) emitted from cell phones may exert detrimental effects on human organs especially hippocampus which is an important organ concerned with memory and cognitive function. Aim To study the effect of different methods of mobile phone EMF exposure on the structure of hippocampus in adult male rats. Materials and Methods 28 adult male albino Wistar rats were equally divided into four groups: Group I (Control): were left without any interference. Group II (silent non-vibrating): exposed to continuous 900-1800 megahertz cell phone- emitted EMF for 60 minutes/day, for four weeks. Mobile phones were kept in silent, non-vibrating mode. Group III (silent vibrating): exposed to EMF as in group II, but with mobile phones kept in vibrating mode. Group IV (ringing non- vibrating): exposed to EMF as in group II, but with ringtone turned on and adjusted at 80 decibels. After four weeks of exposure, hippocampi were harvested form all rats. They were subjected to hematoxylin and eosin, toluidine blue, Caspase-3, and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunohistochemical stain as well as transmission electron microscopic examination. Morphometric and statistical studies were also done. Results pyramidal cells in CA3 area of Group IV (ringing non-vibrating) showed condensed chromatin clumps, distorted mitochondria, and clumped neurofilaments. A significant decrease in the mean thickness of the pyramidal cell layer of the CA3 area was noticed compared to other groups. While a significant increase in the mean number of degenerated pyramidal cells, number of caspase-3 positive cells as well as number of astrocytes was noticed in CA3 area of group IV compared to other groups. A significant increase in the mean optical density of caspase-3 and GFAP was also noticed in CA3 of group IV compared to other groups. Conclusions Exposure to EMF caused significant changes in the structure of hippocampus especially CA3 area. There was no significant difference between silent and vibrating mode. The worst changes were detected in ringing mode.

Assessment of Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Field Exposure from Wi-Fi Routers in LAUTECH Campus, Ogbomoso, Nigeria

Wi-Fi routers play a crucial role in enabling internet connectivity within the academic environment. However, there are concerns that radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure from Wi-Fi routers may be hazardous to human health. The main objective of the research is to assess the safety of RF-EMF exposure in educational environments. A total of 14 Wi-Fi routers were randomly selected and investigated across LAUTECH campus using stratified random sampling method. Measurement of the power density and the electric field strength from these routers were taken using a hand-held electrosmog, TES-593, radiofrequency meter. Measurement points were selected at various distances of 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 and 5.0 m from the Wi-Fi routers, representing typical distances between users and routers. At each measurement point, the TES-593 meter was held 1 m above the ground at a fixed position for 30 seconds to record the E-field strength and the power density. The measured power density and the electric field strength, varied from routers to routers depending on their location and the distance of measurement from the routers. The power density recorded for all the Wi-Fi routers investigated ranged from 0.001 to 3.302 W/m2 with a mean of 0.390 W/m2. For all the Wi-Fi routers investigated. The overall exposure levels for the power density decreases with distances for all the routers. The measured electric field strength also decreases with distance ranging from 0.106 to 3.528 V/m with a mean of 0.981 V/m. The measured power densities and the electric field strengths in this research work were comparable and similar with reports from other research work from different environments including educational, residential, and urban settings. The power densities and the electric field strengths recorded were below the 10 W/m2 and 5 V/m recommended by various regulatory agencies respectively. All the Wi-Fi routers considered in this research work were within safety guidelines set by regulatory agencies for the power density and the electric field strength, thus emitting radiations at a level that are considered safe for human exposure within the academic communities. The operation of RF-EMF exposure from Wi-Fi routers in the academic environment of LAUTECH will no pose any potential health risks on staff and students of the institution. The evidence-based insights into potential health risks associated with prolonged exposure to electromagnetic fields from Wi-Fi routers in this research can guide policymakers in establishing safety regulations that will limit exposure levels. It can also inform guidelines on the optimal placement of routers, frequency of usage, and the implementation of periodic monitoring to ensure compliance with international safety standards.

Determining the relationship between mobile phone network signal strength and radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure: protocol and pilot study to derive conversion functions

Mobile phones continuously monitor and evaluate indicators of the received signal strengths from surrounding base stations to optimise wireless services. These signal strength indicators (SSIs) offer the potential for assessing radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure on a population scale, as they can be related to exposure from both base stations and handset devices. Within the ETAIN (Exposure To electromAgnetic fields and plaNetary health) project, an open-access RF-EMF exposure app for smartphones, named "5G Scientist Monitor”, has been developed using citizen science. This paper delineates a measurement protocol for deriving formulas to convert the app SSIs into electric field values to estimate RF-EMF exposure. It presents pilot study results from measurements taken at four locations in Lyon, France (FR), and 14 locations in the Netherlands (NL), using three different phone models and the most common network providers in each country. The measurements were conducted while executing different usage scenarios, such as calls or data transmission. The exposimeter ExpoM-RF4 and on-body electric field probes were used to measure exposure from far-field sources and the handset, respectively. Two-minute aggregates were considered the sample unit for analyses (n=891 in NL and n=395 in FR). Regression analyses showed a positive log-linear relationship between Long Term Evolution (LTE) SSIs and far-field RF-EMF exposure when aggregating data by location (coefficients for the normalised RSSI: 0.91 [95% CI: 0.55 - 1.28] in FR, 1.09 [95% CI: 0.96 - 1.22] in NL). Negative log-linear trends were observed for handset-related RF-EMF exposure at the ear (-0.31 [95% CI: -0.46 - -0.16]) and chest (-0.20 [95% CI: -0.37 - -0.03]) during data transmission scenarios. These results demonstrate that the 5G-Scientist-Monitor app can be implemented for smartphone-based RF-EMF estimation. However, uncertainties in individual measurement points highlight the need for further data collection and analysis to improve the accuracy of exposure estimates.

Effect of 1800 MHz radiofrequency field exposure on cytokine and signal transduction protein expression in differentiated THP-1 cells

Purpose To evaluate the effects of 1800 MHz continuous wave (CW) and global system for mobile communications (GSM) modulated radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RFEMF) exposures on signal transduction (ST) protein and cytokine expression in differentiated human-derived monocytic THP-1 cells. Materials and methods THP-1 cells were differentiated into adherent macrophage-like cells using phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). Following differentiation, cells were exposed to 1800 MHz CW or GSM modulated RFEMF for 0.5, 4, or 24 h at a specific absorption rate (SAR) of 0 (sham) or 2.0 W/kg. Concurrent positive controls (lipopolysaccharide for cytokines; anisomycin for ST proteins) and negative controls were included in each experiment. The expression levels of cytokines (GM-CSF, IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α) from culture media and phosphorylated and total ST proteins (CREB, JNK, NF-κB, p38, ERK1/2, Akt, p70S6k, STAT3, STAT5) from cell lysates were assessed using Milliplex magnetic bead array panels. Results No consistent effect of RFEMF exposure was observed in differentiated THP-1 cells. A statistically significant effect of overall exposure condition was observed for IL-6 with GSM modulation (P = 0.042), but no difference between RFEMF and sham for any exposure condition remained following adjustment for multiple comparisons (P ≥ 0.128). No statistically significant effect of exposure condition was detected for any other cytokine evaluated with either of the RFEMF modulations (P ≥ 0.078). There were no statistically significant changes in expression levels for any of the ST proteins under any studied exposure condition (P ≥ 0.320). Conclusions In this study, no evidence of changes were observed in differentiated human derived THP-1 cells following exposure of up to 24 h to 1800 MHz RFEMF at SARs of 0 and 2.0 W/kg on the expression of ST proteins or cytokines.

Affective evaluation and exposure perception of everyday mobile phone usage situations.

To understand citizens' reactions to the 5G rollout, their affective reaction and perception of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) exposure are of interest. Although precursor studies on 2G-4G have investigated exposure perception mostly quantitatively, the present study applied a qualitative exploratory approach. A number of 35 individual interviews and 6 focus groups with the same participants were conducted in December 2022. Participants were recruited from several locations in Germany, where 5G rollout was at different stages. Interactive tasks, particularly an affective evaluation task and a ranking task, encouraged participants to consider their affect regarding mobile communications and their exposure perception. This approach allowed the participants to first engage with the topic of mobile communications/5G in an intuitive way, before talking about their specific beliefs on RF-EMF exposure. Several pictures showing a person (1) interacting with a mobile phone, (2) surrounded by other peoples' mobile phones, or (3) in the vicinity of mobile phone base stations (antennas) were used as stimulus materials. Data were analyzed using an exploratory content analysis. In the affective evaluation task participants revealed more negative associations with base stations than with mobile phones. The analysis showed that the reasons for their evaluation were very diverse, whereby exposure to RF-EMF only played a subordinate role. Further, the ranking task indicated that most participants (n=20) felt more exposed from base stations than from mobile devices. Results are mostly in-line with the literature on 2G-4G and do not indicate a substantially different exposure perception for 5G.