skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Outdoor characterization of radio frequency electromagnetic fields in a Spanish birth cohort

Abstract

There is considerable public concern in many countries about the possible adverse effects of exposure to non-ionizing radiation electromagnetic fields, especially in vulnerable populations such as children. The aim of this study was to characterize environmental exposure profiles within the frequency range 100 kHz–6 GHz in the immediate surrounds of the dwellings of 123 families from the INMA-Granada birth cohort in Southern Spain, using spot measurements. The arithmetic mean root mean-square electric field (E{sub RMS}) and power density (S{sub RMS}) values were, respectively, 195.79 mV/m (42.3% of data were above this mean) and 799.01 µW/m{sup 2} (30% of values were above this mean); median values were 148.80 mV/m and 285.94 µW/m{sup 2}, respectively. Exposure levels below the quantification limit were assigned a value of 0.01 V/m. Incident field strength levels varied widely among different areas or towns/villages, demonstrating spatial variability in the distribution of exposure values related to the surface area population size and also among seasons. Although recorded values were well below International Commission for Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection reference levels, there is a particular need to characterize incident field strength levels in vulnerable populations (e.g., children) because of their chronic and ever-increasing exposure. The effects of incident field strengthmore » have not been fully elucidated; however, it may be appropriate to apply the precautionary principle in order to reduce exposure in susceptible groups. - Highlights: • Spot measurements were performed in the immediate surrounds of children's dwellings. • Mean root mean-square electric field and power density values were calculated. • Most recorded values were far below international standard guideline limits. • Data demonstrate spatial variability in the distribution of exposure levels. • While adverse effects are proven, application of the precautionary principle may be appropriate.« less

Authors:
 [1];  [1]; ; ; ;  [1];  [1];  [2];
  1. Unit Research Support of the San Cecilio University Hospital, Biosanitary Institute of Granada (ibs.GRANADA), University Hospitals of Granada/University of Granada, Granada (Spain)
  2. CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP) (Spain)
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
22483286
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Environmental Research
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 138; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2014 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); Journal ID: ISSN 0013-9351
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; ACCIDENTS; AUGMENTATION; CHARGES; CHILDREN; ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE; RADIATION PROTECTION; SEASONS; STANDARDS

Citation Formats

Calvente, I., Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Av. Madreid s/n, Granada 18071, Fernández, M. F., Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Av. Madreid s/n, Granada 18071, CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Pérez-Lobato, R., Dávila-Arias, C., Ocón, O., Ramos, R., Ríos-Arrabal, S., Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Av. Madreid s/n, Granada 18071, Villalba-Moreno, J., and others, and. Outdoor characterization of radio frequency electromagnetic fields in a Spanish birth cohort. United States: N. p., 2015. Web. doi:10.1016/J.ENVRES.2014.12.013.
Calvente, I., Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Av. Madreid s/n, Granada 18071, Fernández, M. F., Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Av. Madreid s/n, Granada 18071, CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Pérez-Lobato, R., Dávila-Arias, C., Ocón, O., Ramos, R., Ríos-Arrabal, S., Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Av. Madreid s/n, Granada 18071, Villalba-Moreno, J., & others, and. Outdoor characterization of radio frequency electromagnetic fields in a Spanish birth cohort. United States. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ENVRES.2014.12.013
Calvente, I., Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Av. Madreid s/n, Granada 18071, Fernández, M. F., Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Av. Madreid s/n, Granada 18071, CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Pérez-Lobato, R., Dávila-Arias, C., Ocón, O., Ramos, R., Ríos-Arrabal, S., Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Av. Madreid s/n, Granada 18071, Villalba-Moreno, J., and others, and. 2015. "Outdoor characterization of radio frequency electromagnetic fields in a Spanish birth cohort". United States. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ENVRES.2014.12.013.
@article{osti_22483286,
title = {Outdoor characterization of radio frequency electromagnetic fields in a Spanish birth cohort},
author = {Calvente, I. and Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Av. Madreid s/n, Granada 18071 and Fernández, M. F. and Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Av. Madreid s/n, Granada 18071 and CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública and Pérez-Lobato, R. and Dávila-Arias, C. and Ocón, O. and Ramos, R. and Ríos-Arrabal, S. and Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Av. Madreid s/n, Granada 18071 and Villalba-Moreno, J. and others, and},
abstractNote = {There is considerable public concern in many countries about the possible adverse effects of exposure to non-ionizing radiation electromagnetic fields, especially in vulnerable populations such as children. The aim of this study was to characterize environmental exposure profiles within the frequency range 100 kHz–6 GHz in the immediate surrounds of the dwellings of 123 families from the INMA-Granada birth cohort in Southern Spain, using spot measurements. The arithmetic mean root mean-square electric field (E{sub RMS}) and power density (S{sub RMS}) values were, respectively, 195.79 mV/m (42.3% of data were above this mean) and 799.01 µW/m{sup 2} (30% of values were above this mean); median values were 148.80 mV/m and 285.94 µW/m{sup 2}, respectively. Exposure levels below the quantification limit were assigned a value of 0.01 V/m. Incident field strength levels varied widely among different areas or towns/villages, demonstrating spatial variability in the distribution of exposure values related to the surface area population size and also among seasons. Although recorded values were well below International Commission for Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection reference levels, there is a particular need to characterize incident field strength levels in vulnerable populations (e.g., children) because of their chronic and ever-increasing exposure. The effects of incident field strength have not been fully elucidated; however, it may be appropriate to apply the precautionary principle in order to reduce exposure in susceptible groups. - Highlights: • Spot measurements were performed in the immediate surrounds of children's dwellings. • Mean root mean-square electric field and power density values were calculated. • Most recorded values were far below international standard guideline limits. • Data demonstrate spatial variability in the distribution of exposure levels. • While adverse effects are proven, application of the precautionary principle may be appropriate.},
doi = {10.1016/J.ENVRES.2014.12.013},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/22483286}, journal = {Environmental Research},
issn = {0013-9351},
number = ,
volume = 138,
place = {United States},
year = {Wed Apr 15 00:00:00 EDT 2015},
month = {Wed Apr 15 00:00:00 EDT 2015}
}