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Assessment of exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic fields from smart utility meters in GB; part II) numerical assessment of induced SAR within the human body.

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Qureshi MRA, Alfadhl Y, Chen X, Peyman A, Maslanyj M, Mann S · 2018

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Smart meters cause measurable energy absorption in human bodies, with children absorbing the most RF energy, especially within 15 centimeters of the device.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers calculated how much radiofrequency energy from smart meters gets absorbed by human bodies. Children absorbed the most energy, especially when within 15 centimeters of 2.4 GHz meters. Though levels stayed below safety limits, the study confirms smart meters cause measurable energy absorption in tissue.

Why This Matters

This study provides crucial data on smart meter exposure that utilities and regulators often gloss over. The researchers found that children absorb significantly more RF energy than adults from smart meters, with the highest absorption at 1.87 milliwatts per kilogram. What makes this particularly concerning is that the researchers used 1 watt of power input to simulate smart meter emissions, which they acknowledge is much higher than the typical 15 milliwatt maximum. This means real-world exposures, while lower, still follow the same pattern of children being most affected. The science demonstrates that proximity matters tremendously - the closer you are to a smart meter, the more energy your body absorbs. Put simply, this validates concerns about smart meter placement near bedrooms, children's play areas, or anywhere people spend extended time within a few feet of the device.

Exposure Details

SAR
0.00187 W/kg
Source/Device
868 and 2,450 MHz

Where This Falls on the Concern Scale

Study Exposure Level in ContextStudy Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 0.00187 W/kgExtreme Concern - 0.1 W/kgFCC Limit - 1.6 W/kgEffects observed in the Slight Concern rangeFCC limit is 856x higher than this level
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 2.45 GHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 2.45 GHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

Human body exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic waves emitted from smart meters was assessed using various exposure configurations.

Specific energy absorption rate distributions were determined using three anatomically realistic hum...

The highest observed whole body specific energy absorption rate value was 1.87 mW kg-1 , within the ...

Cite This Study
Qureshi MRA, Alfadhl Y, Chen X, Peyman A, Maslanyj M, Mann S (2018). Assessment of exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic fields from smart utility meters in GB; part II) numerical assessment of induced SAR within the human body. Bioelectromagnetics. 2018 Apr;39(3):200-216.
Show BibTeX
@article{mra_2018_assessment_of_exposure_to_1284,
  author = {Qureshi MRA and Alfadhl Y and Chen X and Peyman A and Maslanyj M and Mann S},
  title = {Assessment of exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic fields from smart utility meters in GB; part II) numerical assessment of induced SAR within the human body.},
  year = {2018},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29143352/},
}
PubMed: 29143352

Cited By (11 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, smart meters cause measurable radiofrequency energy absorption in human tissue. A 2018 study found children absorb the most energy, especially within 15 centimeters of 2.4 GHz smart meters, though levels remained below current safety limits.
Children absorb more radiofrequency energy from smart meters than adults. Research shows the highest absorption rate of 1.87 mW/kg occurred in child models positioned 15 cm from 2.4 GHz meters, due to their smaller size and tissue properties.
Smart meters emit radiofrequency radiation that gets absorbed by your body, with children showing higher absorption rates. While measured levels stayed below international safety limits, the study confirms measurable biological energy absorption occurs from these devices.
Smart meters cause energy absorption rates up to 1.87 mW/kg in children's bodies at close range. The absorption varies by frequency, with 2.4 GHz meters causing higher rates than 868 MHz devices, though all levels remained below safety guidelines.
Smart meters cause radiofrequency energy absorption in human tissue, with children experiencing the highest rates. While current absorption levels stay below safety limits, the research confirms these devices create measurable biological effects through energy deposition in body tissues.