measuring the EMF of various widely used electronic devices and their possible impact to our life

P. H. Yannakopoulos, A. A. Fotopoulos,

D. Katsigiannopoulos, St. Katsikakis

Technological Education Institute of PIRAEUS

Computer Systems Engineering Department

International Scientific Conference

eRA-5

2010

Abstract

Scientists, doctors and some European governments are adding their voices to the growing alarm that the universal use of mobile devices may be the start of a medical catastrophe for the future. Mobile phone radiation and health concerns have been raised, especially following the enormous increase in the use of wireless mobile telephony (GSM and 3G) throughout the world.

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Abstract

These concerns have induced a large body of research because mobile phones and wireless devices use electromagnetic wavesin the microwave range. A similar situation exists regarding other digital wireless systems, such as data communication networks, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, DECT phones and CB's which emit in various regions of the spectrum giving rise to cumulative radiation exposure. In the present study we measure the EMF of various mobile and wireless equipment.

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EquipmentCORNET ED25G

Super wide bandwidth (1MHz-8GHz)

RF field strength power

measurement

- External SMA connector

-direct connection to RF signal

sources,

-External Antenna

-5.8GHz WLAN measurement

-UWB ultra wideband signals

- High sensitivity, -55dBm to +5dBm

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Mobile Phones Measurements

Sony Ericsson K 350i

1827mW/m2

578 mW/m2

230,1 mW/m2

159 mW/m2

Sony Ericsson W 995i

110 mW/m2

89 mW/m2

75 mW/m2

61 mW/m2

Sony Ericson 750i

110 mW/m2

89 mW/m2

75 mW/m2

67 mW/m2

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Type of Mobile phone

Power Density(mW/m2):

(in contact)

(5 cm)

(10 cm)

(20 cm)

Mobile Phones Measurements

Nokia 3210

1827mW/m2

578 mW/m2

364,7 mW/m2

230,1 mW/m2

General Mobile DSTL -1

1827mW/m2

1827mW/m2

1827mW/m2

1827mW/m2

Nokia 2730

1827mW/m2

916 mW/m2

578 mW/m2

364,7 mW/m

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Type of Mobile phone

Power Density(mW/m2):

(in contact)

(5 cm)

(10 cm)

(20 cm)

Mobile Phones Measurements

Nokia 6310i

1827 mW /m2

578 mW/m2

364,7 mW/m2

230,1 mW/m2

Nokia 6233

1827 mW /m2

1827 mW /m2

364,7 mW/m2

230,1 mW/m2

LG R-1

1827 mW /m2

1827 mW /m2

916 mW/m

578 mW/m2

Type of Mobile phone

Power Density(mW/m2):

(in contact)

(5 cm)

(10 cm)

(20 cm)

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THE HEALTH EFFECTS

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Key points A wide range of environmental influences

causes biological effects. 'Biological effect' does not equal 'health hazard'. Special research is needed to identify and measure health hazards.

At low frequencies, external electric and magnetic fields induce small circulating currents within the body. In virtually all ordinary environments, the levels of induced currents inside the body are too small to produce obvious effects.

The main effect of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields is heating of body tissues.

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There is no doubt that short-term exposure to very high levels of electromagnetic fields can be harmful to health. Current public concern focuses on possible long-term health effects caused by exposure to electromagnetic fields at levels below those required to trigger acute biological responses.

There is no evidence to conclude that exposure to low level electromagnetic fields is harmful to human health.

The focus of international research is the investigation of possible links between cancer and electromagnetic fields, at power line and radiofrequencies

Key points

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What happens when you are exposed to electromagnetic fields?

Exposure to electromagnetic fields is not a new phenomenon. However, during the 20th century, environmental exposure to man-made electromagnetic fields has been steadily increasing as growing electricity demand, ever-advancing technologies and changes in social behavior have created more and more artificial sources. Everyone is exposed to a complex mix of weak electric and magnetic fields, both at home and at work, from the generation and transmission of electricity, domestic appliances and industrial equipment, to telecommunications and broadcasting.

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What happens when you are exposed to electromagnetic fields?

Tiny electrical currents exist in the human body due to the chemical reactions that occur as part of the normal bodily functions, even in the absence of external electric fields. For example, nerves relay signals by transmitting electric impulses. Most biochemical reactions from digestion to brain activities go along with the rearrangement of charged particles. Even the heart is electrically active - an activity that your doctor can trace with the help of an electrocardiogram.

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The effect of Low-frequency electric fields

Fields influence the human body just as

they influence any other material made

up of charged particles. When electric

fields act on conductive materials, they

influence the distribution of electric

charges at their surface. They cause

current to flow through the body to the

ground.

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The effect of Low-frequency electric fields

Low-frequency magnetic fields induce

circulating currents within the human

body. The strength of these currents

depends on the intensity of the outside

magnetic field. If sufficiently large, these

currents could cause stimulation of

nerves and muscles or affect other

biological processes

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Electromagnetic fields and cancer Despite many studies, the evidence for

any effect remains highly controversial.

However, it is clear that if

electromagnetic fields do have an effect

on cancer, then any increase in risk will

be extremely small. The results to date

contain many inconsistencies, but no

large increases in risk have been found

for any cancer in children or adults.

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What is a health hazard?

The body does not possess adequate

compensation mechanisms for all

biological effects. Changes that are

irreversible and stress the system for

long periods of time may constitute a

health hazard

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Effects on general health

Some members of the public have attributed a diffuse collection of symptoms to low levels of exposure to electromagnetic fields at home. Reported symptoms include headaches, anxiety, suicide and depression, nausea, fatigue and loss of libido. To date, scientific evidence does not support a link between these symptoms and exposure to electromagnetic fields. At least some of these health problems may be caused by noise or other factors in the environment, or by anxiety related to the presence of new technologies.

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Widespread concerns for health

Over the course of the past decade,

numerous electromagnetic field sources

have become the focus of health

concerns, including power lines,

microwave ovens, computer and TV

screens, security devices, radars and

most recently mobile phones and their

base stations.

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Measurements

1827

910

578

230

11569.4

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

1800

2000

0 10 20 25 40 60

Ele

ctr

ic F

ield

Wireless on the go

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648

578

230 230

110

43

100

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

0 0.07 0.1 0.15 0.3 0.5 1

Ele

ctr

ic F

ield

Microwave Oven

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Measurements

590

560

380

320

140

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

0 5 10 20 70

Mag

neti

c F

ield

Microwave Oven

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Measurements

578

230

6943

210

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

0 5 10 15 20

Ele

ctr

ic F

ield

Wireless Network

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Measurements

SAR Rating

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Samsung F210 0.20

Nokia 6267 0.31

Emporia Life 0.37

HTC TYTN11 38

LG KE970 Shine 0.43

LG KU970 0.43

Nokia 6290 0.47

Samsung U600 0.48

Nokia 8800i 0.50

LG KG130 0.52

Manufacturer Model SAR rating W/Kg

SAR Rating

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Sony Ericsson T650 1.80

Sony Ericsson W880i 1.45

Nokia E51 1.40

Sony Ericsson W950i 1.35

Sony Ericsson Z610i 1.32

Sony Ericsson K810i 1.31

Sony Ericsson W610i 1.31

Sony Ericsson W660i 1.27

Sony Ericsson K550i 1.25

LG + Nokia KU250 + N5700 1.2

Manufacturer Model SAR rating W/Kg

Conclusions from scientific research In the area of biological effects and medical

applications of non-ionizing radiation approximately 25,000 articles have been published over the past 30 years. Despite the feeling of some people that more research needs to be done, scientific knowledge in this area is now more extensive than for most chemicals. Based on a recent in-depth review of the scientific literature, the WHO concluded that current evidence does not confirm the existence of any health consequences from exposure to low level electromagnetic fields. However, some gaps in knowledge about biological effects exist and need further research.

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Thank you for your attention

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International Scientific Conference

eRA-52010

Technological Education Institute of PIRAEUS

Computer Systems Engineering Department