Personal radiofrequency electromagnetic field measurements in the Netherlands: Exposure level and variability for everyday activities, times of day and types of area.
Bolte JF, Eikelboom T. · 2012
View Original AbstractDaily EMF exposure averages 0.180 mW/m² from sources you can't control, with evening and crowded locations bringing double the exposure.
Plain English Summary
Dutch researchers tracked radiofrequency radiation exposure in 98 people during daily activities. Average exposure was 0.180 mW/m², with highest levels during evenings and in crowded places. Other people's phone calls, cordless phones, and WiFi routers significantly contribute to your EMF exposure even when you're not using devices.
Why This Matters
This comprehensive exposure study reveals a critical reality about modern EMF exposure: you're being exposed to radiofrequency radiation constantly, even when your own devices are off. The finding that 37.5% of environmental exposure comes from other people's phone calls highlights how our wireless society creates unavoidable background radiation. What's particularly concerning is that DECT cordless phones and their base stations contributed 31.7% of total exposure, transmitting continuously even when not in use. The dramatic variation in exposure levels between different activities and locations makes personal exposure prediction challenging, but it also means you have more control than you might think. By understanding that crowded urban areas and evening hours bring higher exposures, you can make informed choices about when and where to spend your time.
Exposure Details
- Power Density
- 0.0066, 0.0265, 0.180 µW/m²
- Exposure Duration
- over 24 hours
Exposure Context
This study used 0.0066, 0.0265, 0.180 µW/m² for radio frequency:
- 660Kx above the Building Biology guideline of 0.1 μW/m²
- 11Kx 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 main goal of this study is to determine the exposure level and spatial and temporal variances during 39 everyday activities in 12 frequency bands used in mobile telecommunication and broadcasting.
Therefore, 24 h measurements were gathered from 98 volunteers living in or near Amsterdam and Purmer...
The mean exposure over 24 h, excluding own mobile phone use, was 0.180 mW/m(2). During daytime expos...
Show BibTeX
@article{jf_2012_personal_radiofrequency_electromagnetic_field_868,
author = {Bolte JF and Eikelboom T.},
title = {Personal radiofrequency electromagnetic field measurements in the Netherlands: Exposure level and variability for everyday activities, times of day and types of area.},
year = {2012},
url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22906414/},
}