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Geospatial modelling of electromagnetic fields from mobile phone base stations.

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Beekhuizen J, Vermeulen R, Kromhout H, Bürgi A, Huss A. · 2013

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A geospatial model of RF-EMF from mobile phone base stations in Amsterdam showed strong agreement with field measurements, with Spearman correlations of 0.86 for GSM900 and 0.85 for UMTS.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers modelled radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) across Amsterdam using a three-dimensional model called NISMap, then compared the results to actual measurements taken in areas with different built-up characteristics. The modelled values agreed well with measurements, with Spearman correlations of 0.86 for GSM900 and 0.85 for UMTS. The researchers concluded that NISMap provides a reliable way of assessing environmental RF-EMF exposure for epidemiological studies in urban areas.

Why This Matters

Measurements were collected by moving continuously along a predefined path of roughly 2 km in each area, an approach the researchers said captures the high spatial variability in electric field strengths. The average measured GSM900 field strength was 0.21 V/m, and the average measured UMTS field strength was 0.09 V/m. The model underestimated GSM900 field strengths by 0.07 V/m and slightly overestimated UMTS field strengths by 0.01 V/m. The study describes geospatial exposure modelling as a promising approach to quantify ambient RF-EMF exposure for epidemiological studies involving large populations.

Exposure Details

Electric Field
0.09, 0.21 V/m
Source/Device
GSM900
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 900 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 900 MHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

The aim of this study is to observe Geospatial modelling of electromagnetic fields from mobile phone base stations.

Geospatial exposure modelling is a promising approach to quantify ambient exposure to RF-EMF for epi...

The modelled values were in good agreement with the measurements. We found a Spearman correlation of...

Cite This Study
Beekhuizen J, Vermeulen R, Kromhout H, Bürgi A, Huss A. (2013). Geospatial modelling of electromagnetic fields from mobile phone base stations. Sci Total Environ. 2013 Jan 16;445-446C:202-209. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2012.12.020.
Show BibTeX
@article{j_2013_geospatial_modelling_of_electromagnetic_849,
  author = {Beekhuizen J and Vermeulen R and Kromhout H and Bürgi A and Huss A.},
  title = {Geospatial modelling of electromagnetic fields from mobile phone base stations.},
  year = {2013},
  
  url = {https://www.researchgate.net/publication/234700035_Geospatial_modelling_of_electromagnetic_fields_from_mobile_phone_base_stations},
}

Quick Questions About This Study

The study aimed to model RF-EMF from mobile phone base stations across Amsterdam and test how well those modelled values matched real-world measurements.
The modelled values were in good agreement with the measurements, with a Spearman correlation of 0.86 for GSM900 and 0.85 for UMTS.
The average measured GSM900 field strength was 0.21 V/m, and the average measured UMTS field strength was 0.09 V/m.
Researchers performed repeated continuous measurements along a predefined path of roughly 2 km in each area.
The researchers said NISMap provides a reliable way of assessing environmental RF-EMF exposure for epidemiological studies of RF-EMF and health in urban areas.