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SAR / Device Absorption193 citations

Differences in energy absorption between heads of adults and children in the near field of sources.

No Effects Found

Schonborn F, Burkhardt M, Kuster N · 1998

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Children's heads absorb similar amounts of cell phone radiation as adults, but this doesn't address whether developing brains are more sensitive.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers used computer simulations to compare how much cell phone radiation is absorbed by children's heads versus adults' heads at 900 MHz and 1,800 MHz frequencies. They found no significant differences in radiation absorption between children and adults, contradicting earlier studies that suggested children absorb more radiation. This finding has important implications for safety standards, which are currently based only on adult head models.

Exposure Information

A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 900 MHz - 1.80 GHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 900 MHz - 1.80 GHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

The study examined exposure from: 900 MHz and 1,800 MHz

Study Details

This paper was motivated by a recent article in which the levels of electromagnetic energy absorbed in the heads of mobile phone users were compared for children and adults at the frequencies of 835 MHz and 1,900 MHz. Significant differences were found, in particular substantially greater absorption in children's heads at 835 MHz. These findings contradict other studies in which no significant changes had been postulated. The clarification of this issue is crucial to the mobile communications industry since current SAR evaluations as required by the FCC are only performed with phantoms based on the heads of adults.

In order to investigate the differences in absorption between adults and children due to their diffe...

These well-defined sources simplified the investigation and facilitated the comparison to previously...

The results revealed no significant differences in the absorption of electromagnetic radiation in the near field of sources between adults and children. The same conclusion holds when children are approximated as scaled adults.

Cite This Study
Schonborn F, Burkhardt M, Kuster N (1998). Differences in energy absorption between heads of adults and children in the near field of sources. Health Phys 74(2):160-168, 1998. .
Show BibTeX
@article{f_1998_differences_in_energy_absorption_3378,
  author = {Schonborn F and Burkhardt M and Kuster N},
  title = {Differences in energy absorption between heads of adults and children in the near field of sources.},
  year = {1998},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9450585/},
}
PubMed: 9450585

Cited By (193 papers)

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Quick Questions About This Study

Computer simulations using finite integration technique can accurately predict radiation absorption patterns. Schonborn's 1998 study used commercial simulation software to compare 900 MHz and 1,800 MHz absorption between adult and child head models, finding no significant differences despite earlier studies suggesting children absorb more.
Current safety standards may need revision based on simulation evidence. The 1998 Schonborn study contradicted earlier research by finding no significant differences in 900 MHz and 1,800 MHz radiation absorption between children's and adults' heads, challenging assumptions used in safety regulations.
Scaling adult head models appears accurate for predicting children's radiation exposure. Schonborn's computer simulations found that when children were approximated as scaled adults, there were still no significant differences in electromagnetic radiation absorption at 900 MHz and 1,800 MHz frequencies.
Conflicting results stem from different research methodologies and measurement techniques. While earlier experimental studies suggested children absorb more cell phone radiation, Schonborn's 1998 computer simulations using finite integration technique found no significant differences at 900 MHz and 1,800 MHz frequencies.
Separate safety standards for children may not be necessary based on simulation data. Schonborn's 1998 study found no significant differences in radiation absorption between adult and child head models at cell phone frequencies, suggesting current adult-based safety standards may adequately protect children.