An In Situ and In Silico Evaluation of Biophysical Effects of 27 MHz Electromagnetic Whole Body Humans Exposure Expressed by the Limb Current

Abstract

Objectives The aim was to evaluate correlations between biophysical effects of 27 MHz electromagnetic field exposure in humans (limb induced current (LIC)) and (1) parameters of affecting heterogeneous electric field and (2) body anthropometric properties, in order to improve the evaluation of electromagnetic environmental hazards. Methods Biophysical effects of exposure were studied in situ by measurements of LIC in 24 volunteers (at the ankle) standing near radio communication rod antenna and in silico in 4 numerical body phantoms exposed near a model of antenna. Results Strong, positive, statistically significant correlations were found in all exposure scenarios between LIC and body volume index (body height multiplied by mass) (r > 0.7; p < 0.001). The most informative exposure parameters, with respect to the evaluation of electromagnetic hazards by measurements (i.e., the ones strongest correlated with LIC), were found to be the value of electric field (unperturbed field, in the absence of body) in front of the chest (50 cm from body axis) or the maximum value in space occupied by human. Such parameters were not analysed in previous studies. Conclusions Exposed person's body volume and electric field strength in front of the chest determine LIC in studied exposure scenarios, but their wider applicability needs further studies.

Exposure Assessment to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields in Occupational Military Scenarios: A Review

“…The telecommunication systems in the military field also use the radio-band in the frequency range coming from 1.5 MHz to 90 MHz, in the wide band of VHF (very-high frequency) and to cover a wide range of action to communicate over a great distance, the input power imposed to the system ranges between 0.5 W and 10 W [ 20 ]. Often, the entire radio station, during the use, is placed on the backpack of the soldier and often the radio station is equipped with a rod antenna [ 21 ].…”

“…Karpowicz et al [ 21 ] studied the exposure assessment to portable radio communication units (known as a radiophones) equipped with rod antenna and operating at a frequency of approximately 27 MHz used by military (and civilian) services. In particular, they performed measurements of limb induced current at the ankle of 24 volunteers standing near a radio communication rod antenna at two different distances and mapped the electric-field spatial distribution near the antenna itself.…”

“…By making this comparison, it was highlighted that in almost all cases the limits were respected, in terms of exposure limits values (ELVs) and/or in terms of action levels (ALs). This is truer for the radiocommunication devices for which both experimental and dosimetric studies were performed [ 20 , 21 ], and localization/surveillance devices (radar), for which exposure measurement campaigns were performed in areas occupied by the military personnel [ 7 , 31 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 ]. Conversely, exposure assessment of the EMF generated by jammer devices and wearable devices is still limited or, as in case of the EM directed-energy weapons, completely lacking.…”

Assessment of the Electromagnetic Field Exposure during the Use of Portable Radios in the Context of Potential Health Effects

“…When assessing the limb currents of a worker standing some distance away from the EMF source, the E-field component is dominant [9,15,16]. Therefore, in the first step, the test consisted of the determination of the electric field (E-field) strength spatial distribution at a distance of 10 cm and 20 cm from the device antenna (Figure 2a).…”

Structural design of asymmetric gradient alternating multilayered CNF/MXene/FeCo@rGO composite film for efficient and enhanced absorbing electromagnetic interference shielding

“…With the fast extension of electronic devices and the continuous increase in their power, the generated electromagnetic wave pollution has sharply increased, thereby affecting human health and normal life. [1][2][3][4][5][6] To improve the electromagnetic interference (EMI) protection capabilities of electronic devices, it is necessary to design and develop materials with EMI shielding performance to protect their normal operation. 7 In addition, during long-term operation, electronic devices accumulate heat, which leads to a decrease in their service life.…”