Protocol for Personal RF-EMF Exposure Measurement Studies in 5th Generation Telecommunication Networks

Abstract

Background The general population is exposed to Radio-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields (RF-EMFs) used by telecommunication networks. Previous studies developed methods to assess this exposure. These methods will be inadequate to accurately assess exposure in 5G technologies. This is due to the fact that 5G NR (new radio) base stations will focus actively on connected users, resulting in a high spatio-temporal variations in the RF-EMFs. This increases the measurement uncertainty in personal measurements of RF-EMF exposure. Furthermore, a user’s exposure from base stations will be dependent on the amount of data usage, adding a new component to the auto-induced exposure, which is often omitted in current studies. Methods The objective of this paper is to develop a general study protocol for future personal RF-EMF exposure research adapted to 5G technologies. This protocol will include the assessment of auto-induced exposure of both a user’s own devices and the networks’ base stations. Results To account for auto-induced exposure, an activity-based approach is introduced. In survey studies, an RF-EMF sensor is fixed on the participants’ mobile device(s). Based on the measured power density, GPS data and movement and proximity sensors, different activities can be clustered and the exposure during each activity is evaluated. In microenvironmental measurements, a trained researcher performs measurements in predefined microenvironments with a mobile device equipped with the RF-EMF sensor. The mobile device is programmed to repeat a sequence of data transmission scenarios (different amounts of uplink and downlink data transmissions). Based on simulations, the amount of exposure induced in the body when the user device is at a certain location relative to the body, can be evaluated. Conclusion Our protocol addresses the main challenges to personal exposure measurement introduced by 5G NR. A systematic method to evaluate a user’s auto-induced exposure is introduced.

Impact of mobile phones and wireless devices use on children and adolescents’ mental health: a systematic review

“…A large proportion of RF-EMF dosage will be triggered by a user's device demanding data from the network, resulting in high spatio-temporal variations in the RF-EMF exposure. Future studies investigating effects of RF-EMF from mobile devices may now require personal exposure monitors worn on the body to address these challenges, whilst continuing to use device-reporting software, and activity-logging mapped with spatiotemporal data [80].…”

Instruments to measure environmental and personal radiofrequency-electromagnetic field exposures: an update

“…Standalone RF-EMF exposure assessment tools, including exposimeters, have demonstrated their capabilities to assess exposures up to 6 GHz. It is likely that measurement approaches for 5G NR may differ slightly from conventionally applied methods, mainly because of the beam forming technology [83]. A methodology for assessing environmental or personal 5G (sub 6 GHz)-related RF-EMF has recently been proposed [83].…”

“…It is likely that measurement approaches for 5G NR may differ slightly from conventionally applied methods, mainly because of the beam forming technology [83]. A methodology for assessing environmental or personal 5G (sub 6 GHz)-related RF-EMF has recently been proposed [83]. Furthermore, with upcoming mmWave frequency telecommunication technology, it is still not clear if and how currently available devices would allow measurements of mmWave RF-EMF frequencies.…”

Study of electromagnetic radiation from mobile towers near schools and health centers in the Suhar city

“…There is an expected possibility of health hazards from long term exposures at levels too low to produce measurable heating. Such levels of energy levels have been reported to have biological effects but not health hazards [22,23].…”