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Instruments to assess and measure personal and environmental radiofrequency-electromagnetic field exposures

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Abstract

Radiofrequency-electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure of human populations is increasing due to the widespread use of mobile phones and other telecommunication and broadcasting technologies. There are ongoing concerns about potential short- and long-term public health consequences from RF-EMF exposures. To elucidate the RF-EMF exposure-effect relationships, an objective evaluation of the exposures with robust assessment tools is necessary. This review discusses and compares currently available RF-EMF exposure assessment instruments, which can be used in human epidemiological studies. Quantitative assessment instruments are either mobile phone-based (apps/software-modified and hardware-modified) or exposimeters. Each of these tool has its usefulness and limitations. Our review suggests that assessment of RF-EMF exposures can be improved by using these tools compared to the proxy measures of exposure (e.g. questionnaires and billing records). This in turn, could be used to help increase knowledge about RF-EMF exposure induced health effects in human populations.

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Acknowledgments

This research project is supported by the Centre for Population Health Research on Electromagnetic Energy (PRESEE), School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University. The centre is funded by a grant from the National Health and Medical Research Council, Australia. The authors would like to thank Bob Johnson, Narda Safety Test Solutions, New York, USA; Nicolas Doare, SATIMO, Courtaboeuf, France; Arno Thielens, Ghent University/iMinds, Ghent, Belgium; Marco Zahner, Fields at Work GmbH, Zürich, Switzerland, Pasi Niemi, Cellraid Oulunsalo, Finland, and Thierry Sarrebourse, Whist Lab, Institut Mines-Télécom/Orange, Paris, France, for sharing relevant technical information and granting permission to use the pictures of their respective products.

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  1. Centre for Population Health Research on Electromagnetic Energy (PRESEE), School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, The Alfred Centre, 99 Commercial Road, Victoria, Melbourne, 3004, Australia

    Chhavi Raj Bhatt, Mary Redmayne, Michael J. Abramson & Geza Benke

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  1. Chhavi Raj Bhatt
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  2. Mary Redmayne
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  3. Michael J. Abramson
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Correspondence to Chhavi Raj Bhatt.

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Bhatt, C.R., Redmayne, M., Abramson, M.J. et al. Instruments to assess and measure personal and environmental radiofrequency-electromagnetic field exposures. Australas Phys Eng Sci Med 39, 29–42 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13246-015-0412-z

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