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Exposure to mobile telecommunication networks assessed using personal dosimetry and well-being in children and adolescents: the German MobilEe-study.

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Thomas S, Kühnlein A, Heinrich S, Praml G, von Kries R, Radon K. · 2008

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This study proves personal dosimeters can accurately measure children's real-world EMF exposure, showing levels around 0.2% of safety limits in 2008.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

German researchers measured actual radiofrequency exposure in nearly 3,000 children using personal monitoring devices over 24 hours. They found median exposures of just 0.18-0.19% of international safety limits, demonstrating that personal dosimeters effectively track real-world EMF exposure in young people.

Why This Matters

This groundbreaking German study addresses a critical gap in EMF research by using objective measurement rather than estimates or questionnaires to assess children's actual exposure levels. What makes this research particularly valuable is its use of personal dosimeters worn by participants, providing the first reliable picture of real-world radiofrequency exposure in young people from all sources combined. The measured exposure levels of roughly 0.2% of ICNIRP limits may seem reassuring, but this represents baseline exposure from 2008 when smartphone adoption was far lower than today. The study's methodology proves that personal dosimetry works for large-scale health research, setting the stage for more comprehensive studies linking measured exposure to health outcomes. For parents, this research highlights both the feasibility of accurate exposure measurement and the reality that children are continuously exposed to radiofrequency radiation from multiple sources throughout their daily lives.

Exposure Details

Electric Field
0.05 V/m

Study Details

The aim of this study was to determine Exposure to mobile telecommunication networks assessed using personal dosimetry and well-being in children and adolescents: the German MobilEe-study.

We investigated a possible association between exposure to mobile telecommunication networks and wel...

In comparison to non-participants, parents and adolescents with a higher level of education who poss...

In comparison to previous studies this is one of the first to assess the individual level of exposure to mobile telecommunication networks using personal dosimetry, enabling objective assessment of exposure from all sources and longer measurement periods. In total, personal dosimetry was proofed to be a well accepted tool to study exposure to mobile phone frequencies in epidemiologic studies including health effects on children and adolescents.

Cite This Study
Thomas S, Kühnlein A, Heinrich S, Praml G, von Kries R, Radon K. (2008). Exposure to mobile telecommunication networks assessed using personal dosimetry and well-being in children and adolescents: the German MobilEe-study. Environ Health. 7(1):54, 2008.
Show BibTeX
@article{s_2008_exposure_to_mobile_telecommunication_1359,
  author = {Thomas S and Kühnlein A and Heinrich S and Praml G and von Kries R and Radon K.},
  title = {Exposure to mobile telecommunication networks assessed using personal dosimetry and well-being in children and adolescents: the German MobilEe-study.},
  year = {2008},
  doi = {10.1186/1476-069X-7-54},
  url = {https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/1476-069X-7-54},
}
DOI: 10.1186/1476-069X-7-54

Cited By (83 papers)

View all 83 citing papers on Semantic Scholar

Quick Questions About This Study

A major German study measuring nearly 3,000 children found their actual radiofrequency exposure was only 0.18-0.19% of international safety limits. Personal monitoring devices tracked real-world exposure over 24 hours, showing children's daily EMF exposure remains well below regulatory thresholds.
Yes, German researchers successfully used personal dosimetry devices to measure radiofrequency exposure in nearly 3,000 children and adolescents. The study proved these monitoring tools effectively track real-world EMF exposure from all sources over extended periods in young people.
A comprehensive German study measuring actual exposure in nearly 3,000 adolescents found radiofrequency levels at just 0.19% of safety limits. The research focused on measuring real-world exposure rather than health effects, providing baseline data for understanding teenage EMF exposure patterns.
German researchers found children's median radiofrequency exposure was 0.18% of international safety limits when measured with personal monitoring devices. This represents actual daily exposure from all mobile telecommunication sources, not just cell phones, in nearly 3,000 participants.
A large German study measured actual radiofrequency exposure in nearly 3,000 children, finding levels at just 0.18% of safety limits. The research established baseline exposure measurements using personal dosimetry but did not specifically investigate health effects or biological impacts.