A follow-up study of electromagnetic interference of cellular phones on electronic medical equipment in the emergency department.
Tat FH, Wah KC, Hung YH. · 2002
View Original AbstractCell phones can interfere with some medical devices at very close range, confirming that EMF emissions affect sensitive electronics.
Plain English Summary
Researchers tested whether cellular phones interfere with medical equipment in hospital emergency departments by placing phones at various distances from devices like heart monitors and blood glucose meters. They found that only two small devices experienced interference, and only when phones were placed in very close proximity. The study suggests newer phone technology may cause less interference than older models, though hospitals should maintain cautious policies until more comprehensive testing is completed.
Why This Matters
This study addresses a critical safety question that bridges EMF exposure and medical device functionality. While the researchers found minimal interference with most equipment, the fact that any interference occurred at close proximity highlights an important principle: EMF emissions from wireless devices can disrupt sensitive electronics, even if the effects appear limited. What makes this particularly relevant is that medical devices represent some of our most precisely calibrated electronic equipment. If phones can interfere with glucose meters and airway monitoring devices at close range, this demonstrates the reality of EMF's ability to affect electronic systems. The study's recommendation to maintain restrictive hospital policies reflects the precautionary approach that makes sense when lives are at stake.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.
Study Details
Considering the growing use of cellular phones and the fast appearance of new phone models, the electromagnetic interference of currently popular cellular phones on electronic medical equipment was tested.
Three Personal Communication System cellular phones were put at different distances from multiple el...
Only two small pieces of equipment, the CO2 airway adapter and the haemoglucostix meter were affecte...
Compared to the results of our study in 1997 testing Global System for Mobile Communication phones, the Personal Communication System phones generated less electromagnetic interference. However a much larger scaled study and an accurate international electromagnetic interference standard are recommended before any change in the current restrictive hospital policy on mobile phone usage could be recommended.
Show BibTeX
@article{fh_2002_a_followup_study_of_2732,
author = {Tat FH and Wah KC and Hung YH.},
title = {A follow-up study of electromagnetic interference of cellular phones on electronic medical equipment in the emergency department.},
year = {2002},
url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12487049/},
}