Measurement of the dielectric properties of the epidermis and dermis at frequencies from 0.5 GHz to 110 GHz.
Sasaki K, Wake K, Watanabe S · 2014
View Original AbstractCurrent safety models significantly underestimate electromagnetic absorption in human skin at 5G frequencies, revealing gaps in exposure assessments.
Plain English Summary
Researchers measured how electromagnetic waves interact with the two main layers of human skin - the outer epidermis and deeper dermis - across frequencies from 0.5 to 110 GHz. They found that current safety models significantly underestimate how much electromagnetic energy these skin layers actually absorb, especially at higher frequencies above 20 GHz. This matters because accurate absorption data is crucial for both medical device development and safety assessments of wireless technologies.
Why This Matters
This research reveals a critical gap in our understanding of how EMF interacts with human tissue. The finding that existing safety models underestimate electromagnetic absorption in skin layers by significant margins at higher frequencies should concern anyone following the rollout of 5G and millimeter wave technologies. These frequencies (20-110 GHz) overlap directly with those used in emerging wireless applications, yet our safety standards rely on outdated absorption models that this study shows are inadequate. What this means for you is that exposure assessments for newer wireless technologies may be based on flawed assumptions about how deeply and intensively these frequencies penetrate skin tissue. The science demonstrates that we need updated biological interaction data before, not after, widespread deployment of these technologies.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study. The study examined exposure from: 0.5 GHz to 110 GHz
Study Details
Numerous studies have reported the measurements of the dielectric properties of the skin. Clarifying the manner in which the human body interacts with electromagnetic waves is essential for medical research and development, as well as for the safety assessment of electromagnetic wave exposure. The skin comprises several layers: the epidermis, the dermis, and the subcutaneous fat. Each of these skin layers has a different constitution; however, the previous measurements of their dielectric properties were typically conducted on tissue which included all three layers of the skin. This study presents novel dielectric property data for the epidermis and dermis with in vitro measurement at frequencies ranging from 0.5 GHz to 110 GHz.
Measured data was compared with literature values; in particular, the findings were compared with Ga...
The experimental results agreed with the data reported by Gabriel for the dermis of up to 20 GHz, wh...
Show BibTeX
@article{k_2014_measurement_of_the_dielectric_2567,
author = {Sasaki K and Wake K and Watanabe S},
title = {Measurement of the dielectric properties of the epidermis and dermis at frequencies from 0.5 GHz to 110 GHz.},
year = {2014},
url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25082800/},
}