MEASURING THE EMF OF VARIOUS WIDELY USED ELECTRONIC DEVICES AND THEIR POSSIBLE IMPACT TO OUR LIFEP. H. Yannakopoulos, A. A. Fotopoulos,

D. Katsigiannopoulos, St. Katsikakis

Technological Education Institute of PIRAEUSComputer Systems Engineering Department

International Scientific ConferenceeRA-5

2010

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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 waves in 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 MeasurementsSony 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)

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Mobile Phones MeasurementsNokia 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)

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Mobile Phones MeasurementsNokia 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

0 10 20 25 40 600

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

1800

2000

1827

910

578

230

11569.4

Wireless on the go

Elec

tric

Fiel

d

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0 0.07 0.1 0.15 0.3 0.5 10

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

648

578

230 230

110

4310

Microwave Oven

Elec

tric

Fiel

d

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Measurements

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0 5 10 20 700

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

590560

380

320

14

Microwave Oven

Mag

netic

Fie

ld

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Measurements

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0 5 10 15 200

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

578

230

6943

21

Wireless Network

Elec

tric

Fiel

d

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Measurements

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SAR Rating

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Samsung F210 0.20 Nokia 6267 0.31Emporia Life 0.37HTC TYTN11 38LG K E970 Shine 0.43 LG K U970 0.43 Nokia 6290 0.47 Samsung U600 0.48Nokia 8800i 0.50 LG K G130 0.52

Manufacturer Model SAR rating W/Kg

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SAR Rating

Sony Ericsson T650 1.80Sony Ericsson W880i 1.45Nokia E51 1.40Sony Ericsson W950i 1.35Sony Ericsson Z610i 1.32Sony Ericsson K 810i 1.31Sony Ericsson W610i 1.31Sony Ericsson W660i 1.27Sony Ericsson K 550i 1.25LG + Nokia K U250 + N5700 1.2

Manufacturer Model SAR rating W/Kg

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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

TEI of Piraeus International Scientific Conference eRA-5

International Scientific ConferenceeRA-5

2010

Technological Education Institute of PIRAEUSComputer Systems Engineering Department