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Electric Fields

Modelling and assessment of the electric field strength caused by mobile phone to the human head.

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Buckus R, Strukcinskiene B, Raistenskis J, Stukas R. · 2016

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Older 2G phones create stronger head exposure than newer models, with field strength dropping exponentially away from your ear.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers used computer modeling to map how electric fields from mobile phones affect the human head during phone calls. They found that older 2G phones operating at 900 MHz create stronger electric fields around the ear area than newer phones, with the field strength decreasing rapidly as you move away from the phone. The study showed that higher power phones with lower frequencies produce the most intense electric fields, affecting 1-12% of the head's surface area.

Why This Matters

This modeling study provides crucial insight into how different phone technologies expose your head to varying levels of electromagnetic fields. The finding that older 2G phones at 900 MHz create stronger fields than newer 3G phones challenges the common assumption that newer always means safer. What's particularly significant is the exponential decrease in field strength as you move away from the phone - this supports the fundamental principle that distance is your friend when it comes to EMF exposure. The research demonstrates that the ear region receives the most intense exposure, which aligns with epidemiological studies showing increased brain tumor risk on the same side of the head where people typically hold their phones. While this is a modeling study rather than biological research, it provides the dosimetry foundation that helps us understand how phone radiation actually penetrates human tissue.

Exposure Information

A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 1.80 GHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 1.80 GHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study. The study examined exposure from: 900 and 1,800 MHz

Study Details

The aim of the study was to measure and assess the electric field strength caused by mobile phones to the human head.

In this paper the software "COMSOL Multiphysics" was used to establish the electric field strength c...

The second generation (2G) Global System for Mobile (GSM) phones that operate in the frequency band ...

The highest electric field strength values of mobile phones are associated with their higher power, bigger specific energy absorption rate (SAR) and lower frequency of mobile phone. The stronger electric field emitted by the more powerful mobile phones takes a higher percentage of the head surface. The highest electric field strength created by mobile phones is distributed over the user's ear.

Cite This Study
Buckus R, Strukcinskiene B, Raistenskis J, Stukas R. (2016). Modelling and assessment of the electric field strength caused by mobile phone to the human head. Vojnosanit Pregl. 73(6):538-543, 2016.
Show BibTeX
@article{r_2016_modelling_and_assessment_of_1929,
  author = {Buckus R and Strukcinskiene B and Raistenskis J and Stukas R.},
  title = {Modelling and assessment of the electric field strength caused by mobile phone to the human head.},
  year = {2016},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27498445/},
}
PubMed: 27498445

Cited By (9 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, older 2G phones operating at 900 MHz create stronger electric fields around your head than newer phones. A 2016 computer modeling study found that higher-power, lower-frequency phones produce the most intense electric fields, affecting up to 12% of your head's surface area during calls.
Yes, the strongest electric fields from mobile phones occur directly around your ear where you hold the phone. Research shows the field strength decreases exponentially as you move away from the ear area, with the highest concentrations affecting 1-12% of your head's surface.
900 MHz phones create stronger electric fields than 1800 MHz phones, according to computer modeling research. The study found that 2G phones operating at 900 MHz with 2W power produce more intense fields than higher-frequency 1800 MHz phones with 1W power.
Yes, 3G phones emit smaller electric field strength values than 2G phones during conversations. Research found that 3G UMTS smartphones operating at 2,100 MHz produce the weakest electric fields compared to older 2G phones operating at lower frequencies.
Yes, higher-power mobile phones create stronger electric fields that affect a larger percentage of your head's surface area. Computer modeling shows that phones with higher power output and lower frequencies produce the most intense electric field exposure around your ear.