6,486 Studies Reviewed. 85.2% of Original Studies Found Biological Effects. The Evidence is Clear.
Shield Your Body
Reproductive Health

Exposure to electromagnetic fields from laptop use of "laptop" computers.

Bioeffects Seen

Bellieni CV, Pinto I, Bogi A, Zoppetti N, Andreuccetti D, Buonocore G. · 2012

View Original Abstract
Share:

Laptop power supplies induced electric currents in fetuses and adults that exceeded ICNIRP safety limits by wide margins.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers measured electromagnetic fields from five laptop computers of different brands and used computerized models to estimate induced currents in adult users and fetuses. The measured EMF values ranged from 1.8 to 6 μT, which fell within ICNIRP guidelines but were considerably higher than levels recommended by MPR II and TCO guidelines and those considered risky for tumor development. The power supply induced electric current densities in the fetus and adult that were respectively 182–263% and 71–483% higher than ICNIRP 98 basic restrictions.

Why This Matters

The study assessed safety by both measuring the EMFs laptops produce and modeling how those fields translate into currents inside the body. When the laptop itself was close to the body, induced currents in adults and fetuses were estimated at 34.2% to 49.8% of ICNIRP recommendations, which the researchers described as not negligible. The power supply produced a separate and larger concern, with modeled currents in the fetus exceeding ICNIRP 98 basic restrictions by 182–263% and in adults by 71–483%. The researchers concluded that placing a laptop directly on the lap is an improper use and suggested the device's name itself encourages that misuse.

Exposure Details

Magnetic Field
0.0018 - 0.006 mT

Exposure Context

This study used 0.0018 - 0.006 mT for magnetic fields:

Building Biology guidelines are practitioner-based limits from real-world assessments. BioInitiative Report recommendations are based on peer-reviewed science. Check Your Exposure to compare your own measurements.

Where This Falls on the Concern Scale

Study Exposure Level in ContextStudy Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 0.0018 - 0.006 mTExtreme Concern - 5 mGFCC Limit - 2,000 mGEffects observed in the Extreme Concern range (Building Biology)FCC limit is 111 times higher than this level

Study Details

The authors measured electromagnetic fields (EMFs) laptop computers produce and estimated the induced currents in the body, to assess the safety of laptop computers.

The authors evaluated 5 commonly used laptop of different brands. They measured EMF exposure produce...

In the LTCs analyzed, EMF values (range 1.8–6 μT) are within International Commission on Non-Ionizin...

Cite This Study
Bellieni CV, Pinto I, Bogi A, Zoppetti N, Andreuccetti D, Buonocore G. (2012). Exposure to electromagnetic fields from laptop use of "laptop" computers. Arch Environ Occup Health. 67(1):31-36, 2012.
Show BibTeX
@article{cv_2012_exposure_to_electromagnetic_fields_851,
  author = {Bellieni CV and Pinto I and Bogi A and Zoppetti N and Andreuccetti D and Buonocore G.},
  title = {Exposure to electromagnetic fields from laptop use of "laptop" computers.},
  year = {2012},
  doi = {10.1080/19338244.2011.564232},
  url = {https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/19338244.2011.564232},
}
DOI: 10.1080/19338244.2011.564232

Cited By (45 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

The EMF values measured (range 1.8–6 μT) were within ICNIRP guidelines, but were considerably higher than levels recommended by MPR II and TCO guidelines and those considered risky for tumor development.
The power supply induced current densities in the fetus and adult that were respectively 182–263% and 71–483% higher than ICNIRP 98 basic restrictions recommended to prevent adverse health effects.
Using computerized models, researchers estimated the magnetic flux exposure of the fetus when a laptop was used at close contact with a pregnant woman's womb. The laptop itself induced currents in the fetus that were within 34.2% to 49.8% of ICNIRP recommendations, described as not negligible.
The researchers evaluated five commonly used laptops of different brands.
The researchers stated that the lap is paradoxically an improper site for laptop use and suggested the device should be renamed to discourage customers from that use.