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Trends in residential exposure to electromagnetic fields from 2006 to 2009.

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Tomitsch J, Dechant E. · 2012

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Bedroom wireless radiation exposure increased 44% in just three years, reflecting our rapidly intensifying electromagnetic environment.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers measured electromagnetic field exposure in bedrooms over a three-year period (2006-2009) to track how our daily EMF exposure is changing. They found that while electric and magnetic fields from power lines decreased slightly, radiofrequency radiation from wireless devices nearly doubled, increasing from 41.35 to 59.56 microwatts per square meter. This reflects the rapid expansion of cell towers, WiFi networks, and wireless technologies in residential areas during this period.

Why This Matters

This study provides crucial baseline data showing how our electromagnetic environment has evolved in just three years. The 44% increase in radiofrequency exposure demonstrates the rapid pace at which we're being immersed in wireless radiation, primarily from cell phone networks and WiFi systems. What makes this particularly significant is that these measurements were taken in bedrooms, where we spend roughly one-third of our lives and where EMF exposure during sleep may be especially problematic for recovery and cellular repair processes. The reality is that this data from 2006-2009 represents just the beginning of our wireless revolution. Since then, we've added 4G networks, countless more WiFi devices, smart home technologies, and now 5G infrastructure. If RF exposure nearly doubled in just three years over a decade ago, imagine how much higher it is today in your bedroom.

Exposure Details

Magnetic Field
0.00001276 mG
Power Density
0.000000035, 0.000005956 µW/m²
Electric Field
17.35 V/m
Source/Device
900 MHz

Exposure Context

This study used 0.000000035, 0.000005956 µW/m² for radio frequency:

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 ContextA logarithmic scale showing exposure levels relative to Building Biology concern thresholds and regulatory limits.Study Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 0.000000035, 0.000005956 µW/m²Extreme Concern1,000 uW/m2FCC Limit10M uW/m2Effects observed in the No Concern range (Building Biology)FCC limit is 285,714,285,714,286x higher than this exposure level

Study Details

The aim of this study is to investigate Trends in residential exposure to electromagnetic fields from 2006 to 2009.

After measuring extremely low frequency electric and magnetic fields (ELF-EFs, ELF-MFs) and radio fr...

he median of ELF-EFs decreased from 25.15 to 17.35 V m(-1) from 2006 to 2009. The median of all-nigh...

Cite This Study
Tomitsch J, Dechant E. (2012). Trends in residential exposure to electromagnetic fields from 2006 to 2009. Radiat Prot Dosimetry. 149(4):384-391, 2012.
Show BibTeX
@article{j_2012_trends_in_residential_exposure_1374,
  author = {Tomitsch J and Dechant E.},
  title = {Trends in residential exposure to electromagnetic fields from 2006 to 2009.},
  year = {2012},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21828064/},
}

Quick Questions About This Study

Researchers measured electromagnetic field exposure in bedrooms over a three-year period (2006-2009) to track how our daily EMF exposure is changing. They found that while electric and magnetic fields from power lines decreased slightly, radiofrequency radiation from wireless devices nearly doubled, increasing from 41.35 to 59.56 microwatts per square meter. This reflects the rapid expansion of cell towers, WiFi networks, and wireless technologies in residential areas during this period.