Determining the relationship between mobile phone network signal strength and RF-EMF exposure: protocol and pilot study to derive conversion functions

PAPER manual Open Research Europe 2025 Exposure assessment Effect: mixed Evidence: Low

Read original paper → DOI: 10.12688/openreseurope.18285.2 Evidence Lab

Abstract

Category: Exposure Assessment, Environmental Health Tags: RF-EMF, signal strength, mobile phones, exposure assessment, ETAIN project, 5G, citizen science DOI: 10.12688/openreseurope.18285.2 URL: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Overview This study explores the potential of mobile phones as tools for the assessment of radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure on large populations. Smartphones constantly monitor signal strength indicators (SSIs) from surrounding base stations, which can be linked to RF-EMF exposure from both base stations and the handset itself. Within the ETAIN project (Exposure To electromAgnetic fields and plaNetary health), an open-access RF-EMF exposure app called "ETAIN 5G-Scientist" was developed through citizen science approaches. Measurement Protocol - Formulas were derived to convert app SSIs into electric field values, estimating RF-EMF exposure. - Pilot studies were conducted at four locations in France and 14 in the Netherlands using three different phone models and major network providers. - Both far-field (base stations) and near-field (handset) sources were considered, measured with both a personal exposimeter and on-body probes, across different usage scenarios (e.g., calls, data transmission). Findings - Regression analysis revealed a positive log-linear relationship between LTE Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) and far-field RF-EMF exposure when aggregated by location. - Negative log-linear trends were found for handset-related RF-EMF exposure at the ear and chest during data transmission, indicating that as signal quality improves, personal device exposure declines. - Exposures were quantified over two-minute intervals for a robust sample (n=891 in NL, n=395 in FR). Conclusion The ETAIN 5G-Scientist app demonstrates potential for smartphone-based population RF-EMF exposure assessment, capturing exposure from both ambient and personal device use. - Further extensive data collection is needed to improve accuracy and address uncertainties in individual measurements. - Importantly, there is a recognized link between RF-EMF exposure as measured via signal strength and potential health risk, supporting the value of continued EMF safety research and monitoring. Plain Language Summary This study developed and tested the "5G Scientist" app to measure RF-EMF exposure using signal strength indicators on smartphones. Field tests in France and the Netherlands, using various phones and scenarios, showed that as mobile signal quality improves, base station-related RF-EMF exposure rises, but personal handset exposure at the body decreases. Apps like this could revolutionize large-scale RF-EMF surveillance, but more data is needed to improve confidence in exposure estimations.

AI evidence extraction

At a glance

Study type

Exposure assessment

Effect direction

mixed

Population

—

Sample size

1286

Exposure

RF mobile phone/base station · Two-minute intervals (exposure quantified over two-minute intervals)

Evidence strength

Low

Confidence: 78% · Peer-reviewed: yes

Main findings

Regression analyses found a positive log-linear relationship between LTE RSSI and far-field RF-EMF exposure when aggregated by location. Negative log-linear trends were reported for handset-related RF-EMF exposure at the ear and chest during data transmission, indicating lower device-related exposure with improved signal quality. Pilot measurements were conducted across locations in France and the Netherlands using multiple phone models/providers and compared against personal exposimeter and on-body probe measurements.

Outcomes measured

Conversion formulas/functions from smartphone signal strength indicators (SSIs) to electric field values
Association between LTE RSSI and far-field (base station) RF-EMF exposure (electric field)
Association between signal quality and handset-related near-field RF-EMF exposure at ear and chest during data transmission

Limitations

Protocol/pilot study; further extensive data collection is stated as needed to improve accuracy and address uncertainties in individual measurements
Relationships reported include aggregation by location (far-field) and specific scenarios (e.g., data transmission) rather than all contexts
Frequency bands beyond LTE/RSSI not specified in the abstract

Suggested hubs

5g-policy (0.52)
Study/app is framed within the ETAIN '5G-Scientist' project and tagged with 5G, focusing on RF-EMF exposure assessment relevant to 5G-era networks.

View raw extracted JSON

{
    "study_type": "exposure_assessment",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "mobile phone/base station",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "Two-minute intervals (exposure quantified over two-minute intervals)"
    },
    "population": null,
    "sample_size": 1286,
    "outcomes": [
        "Conversion formulas/functions from smartphone signal strength indicators (SSIs) to electric field values",
        "Association between LTE RSSI and far-field (base station) RF-EMF exposure (electric field)",
        "Association between signal quality and handset-related near-field RF-EMF exposure at ear and chest during data transmission"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Regression analyses found a positive log-linear relationship between LTE RSSI and far-field RF-EMF exposure when aggregated by location. Negative log-linear trends were reported for handset-related RF-EMF exposure at the ear and chest during data transmission, indicating lower device-related exposure with improved signal quality. Pilot measurements were conducted across locations in France and the Netherlands using multiple phone models/providers and compared against personal exposimeter and on-body probe measurements.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "Protocol/pilot study; further extensive data collection is stated as needed to improve accuracy and address uncertainties in individual measurements",
        "Relationships reported include aggregation by location (far-field) and specific scenarios (e.g., data transmission) rather than all contexts",
        "Frequency bands beyond LTE/RSSI not specified in the abstract"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "RF-EMF",
        "signal strength",
        "SSI",
        "RSSI",
        "LTE",
        "mobile phones",
        "base stations",
        "near-field",
        "far-field",
        "exposure assessment",
        "citizen science",
        "ETAIN project",
        "ETAIN 5G-Scientist",
        "5G"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "5g-policy",
            "weight": 0.520000000000000017763568394002504646778106689453125,
            "reason": "Study/app is framed within the ETAIN '5G-Scientist' project and tagged with 5G, focusing on RF-EMF exposure assessment relevant to 5G-era networks."
        }
    ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract/metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice.

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