Spatial and temporal RF electromagnetic field exposure of children and adults in indoor micro environments in Belgium and Greece

Abstract

Personal radio frequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure, or exposimetry, is gaining importance in the bioelectromagnetics community but only limited data on personal exposure is available in indoor areas, namely schools, crèches, homes, and offices. Most studies are focused on adult exposure, whereas indoor microenvironments, where children are exposed, are usually not considered. A method to assess spatial and temporal indoor exposure of children and adults is proposed without involving the subjects themselves. Moreover, maximal possible daily exposure is estimated by combining instantaneous spatial and temporal exposure. In Belgium and Greece, the exposure is measured at 153 positions spread over 55 indoor microenvironments with spectral equipment. In addition, personal exposimeters (measuring EMFs of people during their daily activities) captured the temporal exposure variations during several days up to one week at 98 positions. The data were analyzed using the robust regression on order statistics (ROS) method to account for data below the detection limit. All instantaneous and maximal exposures satisfied international exposure limits and were of the same order of magnitude in Greece and Belgium. Mobile telecommunications and radio broadcasting (FM) were most present. In Belgium, digital cordless phone (DECT) exposure was present for at least 75% in the indoor microenvironments except for schools. Temporal variations of the exposure were mainly due to variations of mobile telecommunication signals. The exposure was higher during daytime than at night due to the increased voice and data traffic on the networks. Total exposure varied the most in Belgian crèches (39.3%) and Greek homes (58.2%).

Keywords: Child exposure; DAB; DECT; DL; FM; GSM; Global System for Mobile Communications; Indoor; LOS; MHz; PMR; Personal exposure; Personal exposure meter; Personal mobile Radio; RF exposure; RF-EMF; ROS; Radio frequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF); TETRA; TV; Terrestrial Trunked Radio; UL; UMTS; Universal Mobile Telecommunications System; W-LAN; WiFi; digital audio broadcast; digital enhanced cordless telecommunication, cordless phone; down link; frequency modulation, FM radio; line of sight; megahertz; radio frequency electromagnetic field; regression on order statistics; television; up link; wireless fidelity; wireless local area network.