In situ LTE exposure of the general public: Characterization and extrapolation.
Joseph W, Verloock L, Goeminne F, Vermeeren G, Martens L. · 2012
View Original AbstractLTE signals contributed only 0.4% of total RF exposure in 2012, but cumulative EMF exposure has grown significantly since then.
Plain English Summary
Researchers measured real-world 4G cell tower radiation exposure in a UK city. They found 4G signals contributed only 0.4% of total electromagnetic radiation, with levels 32 times below safety guidelines. This provides important baseline data for understanding public EMF exposure.
Why This Matters
This research matters because it establishes real-world exposure baselines for LTE technology just as 4G networks were rolling out globally. While the study found LTE contributed relatively little to total RF exposure compared to FM radio signals, what's significant is that this represents just one layer of our growing EMF environment. The reality is that since 2012, LTE deployment has expanded dramatically, and we've added 5G networks on top of existing infrastructure. The researchers' methodology for extrapolating worst-case scenarios is particularly valuable because it acknowledges that exposure levels can vary significantly based on network traffic and base station power output. What this means for you is that while individual sources like LTE may seem minimal, the cumulative effect of multiple RF sources in our environment continues to grow, making ongoing exposure monitoring increasingly important.
Exposure Details
- Electric Field
- 0.2, 0.5, 1.9, 4.5 V/m
Study Details
In situ radiofrequency (RF) exposure of the different RF sources is characterized in Reading, United Kingdom, and an extrapolation method to estimate worst-case long-term evolution (LTE) exposure is proposed.
All electric field levels satisfy the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection ...
Show BibTeX
@article{w_2012_in_situ_lte_exposure_1081,
author = {Joseph W and Verloock L and Goeminne F and Vermeeren G and Martens L.},
title = {In situ LTE exposure of the general public: Characterization and extrapolation.},
year = {2012},
url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22271226/},
}