Assessment of guidelines for limiting exposures to emf using methods of probabilistic risk analysis.
Thompson CJ, Anderson V, Rowley JT. · 2002
View Original AbstractThis study confirms cell phones rarely exceed heating-based safety limits, but doesn't address non-thermal biological effects occurring at lower exposures.
Plain English Summary
Researchers analyzed how radiofrequency radiation from 900 MHz cell phones gets absorbed by brain tissue, focusing on the statistical patterns of energy absorption rates (SAR). They found that SAR values follow a predictable mathematical pattern and calculated that the probability of exceeding current safety limits is very low. This study used mathematical modeling to evaluate whether existing exposure guidelines provide adequate protection.
Why This Matters
This 2002 study represents an important early attempt to bring statistical rigor to EMF safety assessments, but it reveals a fundamental limitation in how we evaluate wireless safety. The researchers focused purely on thermal effects and SAR compliance, working within the existing regulatory framework that assumes heating is the only concern. What this analysis cannot account for are the non-thermal biological effects that hundreds of studies have since documented at exposure levels well below current limits. The reality is that mathematical models showing 'low probability' of exceeding SAR limits miss the broader picture entirely. The science demonstrates that biological effects occur through mechanisms beyond simple tissue heating, making SAR-based safety assessments incomplete. Put simply, showing compliance with thermal-based limits doesn't address the growing evidence of biological effects at much lower exposure levels.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study. The study examined exposure from: 900 MHz
Study Details
The broad objective in our work is to assess radiofrequency exposure limits, hazard thresholds, and safety factors using methods of probabilistic risk analysis.
We focus our analysis on the variables affecting peak radiofrequency specific energy absorption rate...
Our analysis of component SAR variables such as conductivity and permittivity of grey brain matter a...
Show BibTeX
@article{cj_2002_assessment_of_guidelines_for_2624,
author = {Thompson CJ and Anderson V and Rowley JT.},
title = {Assessment of guidelines for limiting exposures to emf using methods of probabilistic risk analysis.},
year = {2002},
url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11906137/},
}