Electromagnetic Field Exposure Changes Due to the Digital Television Switchover in Thessaloniki, Greece.
Gkonis F, Boursianis A, Samaras T. · 2017
View Original AbstractDigital television broadcasts produce 78% lower radiofrequency exposure than analog TV, showing technological upgrades can reduce EMF exposure.
Plain English Summary
Researchers measured electromagnetic field exposure from television broadcasts in Thessaloniki, Greece, before and after the transition from analog to digital TV. They found that digital television signals produced 78% lower power density (13.3 μW/m²) compared to analog broadcasts (60 μW/m²). This means the digital switchover significantly reduced the population's exposure to radiofrequency radiation in the UHF television band.
Why This Matters
This study provides valuable real-world data on how technological transitions can impact our daily EMF exposure. The 78% reduction in power density from the digital television switchover demonstrates that newer broadcasting technologies aren't automatically more harmful than older ones. What this means for you: while digital TV signals still contribute to your overall radiofrequency exposure, they represent a meaningful reduction compared to the analog broadcasts they replaced. The measured levels, while complying with international guidelines, were notably higher than similar measurements in other countries, highlighting how local infrastructure and geography affect exposure patterns. This research underscores the importance of measuring actual exposure changes rather than making assumptions about new technologies.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.
Study Details
In the present work, the changes in the exposure to electromagnetic fields due to television signals incurred by the digital switchover in Thessaloniki, Greece, are investigated.
It is shown that the measured electric fields comply with ICNIRP guidelines but are higher than thos...
This finding indicates that the digital switchover has resulted in reduced exposure for the population to radiofrequency fields in the UHF range.
Show BibTeX
@article{f_2017_electromagnetic_field_exposure_changes_2113,
author = {Gkonis F and Boursianis A and Samaras T.},
title = {Electromagnetic Field Exposure Changes Due to the Digital Television Switchover in Thessaloniki, Greece.},
year = {2017},
url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28961586/},
}