Determinants of exposure to electromagnetic fields from mobile phones.
Ardoino L, Barbieri E, Vecchia P. · 2004
View Original AbstractMobile phones operate at maximum power most of the time during calls, creating higher EMF exposures than safety testing assumes.
Plain English Summary
Researchers tracked the actual power output of mobile phones during real-world phone calls using specially modified devices. They found that phones operate at their highest power levels most of the time, primarily because network control systems frequently switch connections between cell towers to optimize traffic flow. This means users are exposed to much higher electromagnetic field levels than typically assumed in safety testing.
Why This Matters
This research reveals a critical gap between laboratory safety testing and real-world phone usage. While regulatory agencies base safety standards on average power output, this study demonstrates that phones actually transmit at maximum power the majority of the time during actual use. The science shows this occurs because network optimization software constantly forces 'handovers' between cell towers, requiring phones to boost their transmission power. What this means for you is that your daily EMF exposure from phone calls is likely far higher than the levels used in most health studies. The reality is that safety assessments based on average power levels may significantly underestimate actual human exposure, making this finding particularly relevant as we evaluate the growing body of research linking mobile phone radiation to various health effects.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.
Study Details
The aim of this study is to observe Determinants of exposure to electromagnetic fields from mobile phones.
In this study, special phones, which had been modified to allow the continuous logging of power emit...
The results indicate a high proportion of use of the highest power levels, under any circumstance. S...
Show BibTeX
@article{l_2004_determinants_of_exposure_to_1843,
author = {Ardoino L and Barbieri E and Vecchia P.},
title = {Determinants of exposure to electromagnetic fields from mobile phones.},
year = {2004},
url = {https://academic.oup.com/rpd/article-abstract/111/4/403/1595179},
}