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Electromagnetic Fields in Biological Systems
5.5 Conclusions
In this chapter, a summary was provided regarding the numerical and experimental
techniques used to assess the interaction between the EM fields emitted by mobile communication devices and the human body. Canonical and anatomically detailed models
used for computational exposure assessment were presented, while phantoms, measurement devices, and equipment utilized for experimental dosimetry were described.
Results of recent dosimetry studies were summarized and conformance with international guidelines designed to limit human exposure were discussed.
Regarding cellular phone dosimetry, typical SAR values were found to range from 0.1
to 1.8 W/kg, while similar or slightly higher SAR values were generally assessed in children. Furthermore, parametric studies have indicated the dependence of the SAR values upon phone to head separation distance, tissue dielectric properties, and the head’s
anatomy. The use of wired and wireless (Bluetooth) hands-free devices to reduce exposure
was then considered, and its influence on computed SAR values in the human head and
the part of the human body where the cellular phone is placed was assessed. The potential
health hazard of people’s exposure to the field radiated by base-station antennas was also
explored. The problem of which field value should be compared with the reference one was
discussed and precautionary measures were found to be required only when working very
close to the antenna. Finally, the results of dosimetric studies related to adult and child
exposure to Wi-Fi access points and Wi-Fi equipped mobile terminals were presented.
In all studies, simulated and experimentally derived dosimetric parameters were
found to be well below the exposure guidelines set by national and international organizations. However, the health hazards occurring from long-term exposure to these new
technologies are far from settled. All organizations agree that with any new technology
it is a sensible precautionary approach to keep the situation under ongoing review.
Acknowledgment
The authors would like to gratefully thank their colleague Maria Christopoulou for
valuable discussions.
References
Ackerman, M. J. 1998. The Visible Human Project. Proc IEEE 86(3):504–11.
Adey, W. R. 1993. Biological effects of electromagnetic fields. J Cell Biochem 51:410–6.
Afsset (French Health and Security Agency). 2009. Limit Exposure to Mobile Phones:
French Experts, Agence France-Presse (AFP). http://www.informationliberation
.com/?id=27697 (date accessed: 1 May 2011).
Al-Mously, S. I., and M. M. Abousetta. 2008. Anticipated impact of hand-hold position on
the electromagnetic interaction of different antenna types/positions and a human in
cellular communications. Int J Antennas Propag 2008:1–22.
Ali, M., M. G. Douglas, A. T. M. Sayem, A. Faraone, and C. K. Chou. 2007. Threshold
power of canonical antennas for inducing SAR at compliance limits in the 300–3000
MHz frequency range. IEEE Trans Electromagn Compat 49:143–52.
Electromagnetic Fields in Biological Systems
5.5 Conclusions
In this chapter, a summary was provided regarding the numerical and experimental
techniques used to assess the interaction between the EM fields emitted by mobile communication devices and the human body. Canonical and anatomically detailed models
used for computational exposure assessment were presented, while phantoms, measurement devices, and equipment utilized for experimental dosimetry were described.
Results of recent dosimetry studies were summarized and conformance with international guidelines designed to limit human exposure were discussed.
Regarding cellular phone dosimetry, typical SAR values were found to range from 0.1
to 1.8 W/kg, while similar or slightly higher SAR values were generally assessed in children. Furthermore, parametric studies have indicated the dependence of the SAR values upon phone to head separation distance, tissue dielectric properties, and the head’s
anatomy. The use of wired and wireless (Bluetooth) hands-free devices to reduce exposure
was then considered, and its influence on computed SAR values in the human head and
the part of the human body where the cellular phone is placed was assessed. The potential
health hazard of people’s exposure to the field radiated by base-station antennas was also
explored. The problem of which field value should be compared with the reference one was
discussed and precautionary measures were found to be required only when working very
close to the antenna. Finally, the results of dosimetric studies related to adult and child
exposure to Wi-Fi access points and Wi-Fi equipped mobile terminals were presented.
In all studies, simulated and experimentally derived dosimetric parameters were
found to be well below the exposure guidelines set by national and international organizations. However, the health hazards occurring from long-term exposure to these new
technologies are far from settled. All organizations agree that with any new technology
it is a sensible precautionary approach to keep the situation under ongoing review.
Acknowledgment
The authors would like to gratefully thank their colleague Maria Christopoulou for
valuable discussions.
References
Ackerman, M. J. 1998. The Visible Human Project. Proc IEEE 86(3):504–11.
Adey, W. R. 1993. Biological effects of electromagnetic fields. J Cell Biochem 51:410–6.
Afsset (French Health and Security Agency). 2009. Limit Exposure to Mobile Phones:
French Experts, Agence France-Presse (AFP). http://www.informationliberation
.com/?id=27697 (date accessed: 1 May 2011).
Al-Mously, S. I., and M. M. Abousetta. 2008. Anticipated impact of hand-hold position on
the electromagnetic interaction of different antenna types/positions and a human in
cellular communications. Int J Antennas Propag 2008:1–22.
Ali, M., M. G. Douglas, A. T. M. Sayem, A. Faraone, and C. K. Chou. 2007. Threshold
power of canonical antennas for inducing SAR at compliance limits in the 300–3000
MHz frequency range. IEEE Trans Electromagn Compat 49:143–52.