Assessment of Electromagnetic Exposure to a Child and a Pregnant Woman Inside an Elevator in Mobile Frequencies

Abstract

Category: Dosimetry, Electromagnetic Safety Tags: electromagnetic fields, SAR, children, pregnant women, elevators, mobile phones, thermal safety DOI: 10.3390/telecom6030052 URL: mdpi.com Overview This study presents an in-depth dosimetry analysis of energy assimilation from electromagnetic waves and temperature increases during mobile phone usage within an elevator cabin. The cellphone operates at two different frequencies (1000 MHz and 1800 MHz) and is simulated at three different talk positions: vertical, tilt, and cheek. Realistic numerical models of a woman in the third trimester of pregnancy and a five-year-old girl are used. The analysis highlights the necessity of a comprehensive approach to fully grasp the complexities of EM exposure. Findings - Subjects: A five-year-old girl (Roberta), a pregnant woman at seven months gestation (Pregnant II), and her fetus were evaluated using anatomically precise virtual computational models. - Methodology: Forty-eight separate configurations involving these phantoms in various arrangements and phone orientations were analyzed inside an elevator cabin. - Measurements: Detailed results were obtained for SAR10g, SAR-wb, and Tmax for all anatomical models, including the fetus. - Configurations: The study meticulously examined how subject positioning affects SAR and temperature metrics, especially for the seven-month fetus. Conclusion An integrated approach is essential for a full understanding of EM exposure, as variations in configuration significantly impact absorption and temperature increases. The findings underscore the importance of investigating all possible exposure scenarios to ensure comprehensive conclusions about EM field safety. This investigation highlights the critical need for further exploration of EM effects in elevator cabins under different occupancy and device frequency conditions. These studies are crucial for developing targeted safety guidelines, especially since exposure risks are amplified in enclosed spaces. This research supports the formulation of better health and safety standards for vulnerable populations—particularly children and pregnant women—and emphasizes the connection between EM field exposure and potential health risks.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Numerical dosimetry simulations in an elevator cabin evaluated SAR10g, whole-body SAR, and maximum temperature (Tmax) for a five-year-old girl model, a third-trimester pregnant woman model, and fetus across 48 configurations varying subject arrangement and phone talk position (vertical, tilt, cheek) at 1000 and 1800 MHz. The study reports that configuration/positioning significantly affects absorption and temperature metrics, including for the fetus.

Outcomes measured

• SAR10g
• SAR-wb
• Tmax (temperature increase)

Limitations

• Simulation study using virtual computational models; no real-world measurements reported in the abstract
• No health outcomes assessed; endpoints are dosimetric/thermal metrics (SAR and Tmax)
• Quantitative SAR/temperature values and comparisons to limits are not provided in the abstract

Suggested hubs

• pregnancy-and-emf (0.86)
  Uses a third-trimester pregnant woman model and evaluates fetal SAR/temperature.
• children-and-emf (0.82)
  Includes a five-year-old child model and reports SAR/thermal metrics.

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    "study_type": "exposure_assessment",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "mobile phone",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": null
    },
    "population": "A five-year-old girl (virtual model), a pregnant woman at seven months gestation (virtual model), and fetus (virtual model) in an elevator cabin",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "SAR10g",
        "SAR-wb",
        "Tmax (temperature increase)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Numerical dosimetry simulations in an elevator cabin evaluated SAR10g, whole-body SAR, and maximum temperature (Tmax) for a five-year-old girl model, a third-trimester pregnant woman model, and fetus across 48 configurations varying subject arrangement and phone talk position (vertical, tilt, cheek) at 1000 and 1800 MHz. The study reports that configuration/positioning significantly affects absorption and temperature metrics, including for the fetus.",
    "effect_direction": "unclear",
    "limitations": [
        "Simulation study using virtual computational models; no real-world measurements reported in the abstract",
        "No health outcomes assessed; endpoints are dosimetric/thermal metrics (SAR and Tmax)",
        "Quantitative SAR/temperature values and comparisons to limits are not provided in the abstract"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "dosimetry",
        "RF exposure",
        "mobile phone",
        "elevator cabin",
        "children",
        "pregnant women",
        "fetus",
        "SAR10g",
        "whole-body SAR",
        "temperature increase",
        "1000 MHz",
        "1800 MHz"
    ],
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