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An Investigation of Energy Densities in the Vicinity of Vehicles with Mobile Communications Equipment and Near a Hand-held Walkie Talkie

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Donald L. Lambdin · 1979

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EPA documented RF energy levels from 1970s mobile radios, establishing early baseline data for vehicle and walkie talkie exposures.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

This 1978 EPA study by Donald Lambdin measured radiofrequency energy densities around vehicles equipped with mobile communications equipment and handheld walkie talkies. The research documented RF exposure levels from early mobile radio systems, providing baseline data for understanding electromagnetic field intensities near communication devices in vehicles and from portable radios.

Why This Matters

This EPA investigation represents crucial early documentation of RF exposures from mobile communication systems, conducted at a time when concerns about electromagnetic radiation were just beginning to emerge in scientific circles. The study's focus on vehicles with mobile communications equipment is particularly relevant today, as modern cars contain dozens of wireless transmitters including Bluetooth, WiFi, cellular boosters, and GPS systems that can create much higher cumulative exposures than the single-frequency systems measured in 1978. What makes this research significant is its government authorship through the EPA, demonstrating that federal agencies recognized the need to quantify RF exposures from communication devices nearly half a century ago. The fact that researchers were measuring energy densities around walkie talkies and vehicle-mounted radios suggests awareness that these devices could produce measurable electromagnetic fields in users' immediate environment, a concern that has only intensified with today's ubiquitous wireless technology.

Exposure Information

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.

Cite This Study
Donald L. Lambdin (1979). An Investigation of Energy Densities in the Vicinity of Vehicles with Mobile Communications Equipment and Near a Hand-held Walkie Talkie.
Show BibTeX
@article{an_investigation_of_energy_densities_in_the_vicinity_of_vehicles_with_mobile_com_g5084,
  author = {Donald L. Lambdin},
  title = {An Investigation of Energy Densities in the Vicinity of Vehicles with Mobile Communications Equipment and Near a Hand-held Walkie Talkie},
  year = {1979},
  
  
}

Quick Questions About This Study

While specific measurements aren't detailed in available records, this EPA study documented radiofrequency energy densities around vehicles with mobile communications equipment and handheld walkie talkies, establishing baseline exposure data from early mobile radio systems.
The EPA recognized the need to quantify electromagnetic field exposures from emerging mobile communication technologies, documenting RF energy densities to understand potential health implications as these devices became more widespread in vehicles and portable applications.
While 1970s walkie talkies operated at higher power levels than modern devices, today's vehicles contain multiple wireless transmitters including cellular, Bluetooth, and WiFi that can create cumulative exposures potentially exceeding those single-frequency systems.
The study investigated energy densities in the vicinity of communication equipment, likely using RF field strength meters and power density measurements common to 1970s electromagnetic field assessment protocols for mobile radio systems.
Yes, the EPA's decision to investigate RF energy densities from mobile communications equipment demonstrates that federal agencies recognized the importance of quantifying electromagnetic exposures from wireless devices nearly 50 years ago.