Outdoor characterization of radio frequency electromagnetic fields in a Spanish birth cohort.
Calvente I, Fernández MF, Pérez-Lobato R, Dávila-Arias C, Ocón O, Ramos R, Ríos-Arrabal S, Villalba-Moreno J, Olea N, Núñez MI. · 2015
View Original AbstractChildren face chronic radiofrequency exposure averaging 196 mV/m around their homes, prompting researchers to call for precautionary protection measures.
Plain English Summary
Spanish researchers measured radiofrequency radiation around 123 families' homes, finding average levels of 196 mV/m electric field strength. Though below safety guidelines, the study emphasized applying precautionary measures to protect children from chronic EMF exposure due to their developing biology and increasing wireless device use.
Why This Matters
This Spanish birth cohort study provides crucial baseline data on real-world EMF exposure levels that children face daily around their homes. What makes this research particularly valuable is its focus on vulnerable populations and its acknowledgment that current safety guidelines may not adequately protect developing children from chronic exposure. The measured levels of 196 mV/m average electric field strength represent typical ambient radiofrequency pollution from cell towers, WiFi networks, and other wireless infrastructure that has become ubiquitous in modern environments. The researchers' call for applying the precautionary principle specifically for children aligns with growing scientific concern about cumulative EMF exposure during critical developmental periods. This study reinforces that we cannot simply rely on industry-set exposure limits when it comes to protecting our most vulnerable populations.
Exposure Details
- Power Density
- 0.000028594 µW/m²
- Electric Field
- 0.1488, 0.19579, 0.79901 V/m
- Source/Device
- 100kHz-6GHz
Exposure Context
This study used 0.000028594 µW/m² for radio frequency:
- 2.9Kx above the Building Biology guideline of 0.1 μW/m²
- 47.7x above the BioInitiative Report recommendation of 0.0006 μW/cm²
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 Details
The aim of this study was to characterize environmental exposure profiles within the frequency range 100kHz-6GHz in the immediate surrounds of the dwellings of 123 families from the INMA-Granada birth cohort in Southern Spain, using spot measurements.
The arithmetic mean root mean-square electric field (ERMS) and power density (SRMS) values were, res...
Although recorded values were well below International Commission for Non-Ionizing Radiation Protect...
Show BibTeX
@article{i_2015_outdoor_characterization_of_radio_885,
author = {Calvente I and Fernández MF and Pérez-Lobato R and Dávila-Arias C and Ocón O and Ramos R and Ríos-Arrabal S and Villalba-Moreno J and Olea N and Núñez MI.},
title = {Outdoor characterization of radio frequency electromagnetic fields in a Spanish birth cohort.},
year = {2015},
url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25707018/},
}