Authored By:
Ramirez-Vazquez et al.In this study, exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic energy (RF EME) from Wi-fi was measured by meters carried on the body of 63 volunteers in Mexico over a 24-hour period. The measurements were taken as participants conducted their normal daily routines in a range of environments including homes, workplaces and other public access and urban environments. Volunteers were instructed to avoid using mobile phones, laptops or any other devices connected to Wi-fi during the measurements. When this was unavoidable, participants recorded these activities in a diary outlining the timing and duration of such events to assist in the data analysis. The exposures ranged from a minimum power density of 116.8 microwatts per square meter (µW/m2) to 499.7 µW/m2. Lower levels were measured at night and higher levels during the day. Further, higher measurements were normally associated with office environments. In addition, the authors conducted a follow up survey about health risk perception from exposure to Wi-fi on 35 of the volunteers before and after the measurements were made. The authors reported that the perception of risk generally decreased after participants were made aware of the exposure levels.
Published In:
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public HealthThis study generated some useful data about personal exposure to RF EME from common wireless devices such as Wi-fi routers. The accuracy of some of the results may have been affected by relying on the participants to keep accurate records of their use of mobile phones and other devices while carrying the meters. However, the results were in line with other studies conducted with stricter measurement protocols such as the Wi-fi in schools measurement study conducted by ARPANSA. The measured levels in both studies were well below the public exposure limits set in the International Commission on Non-ionizing Radiation Protection’s 2020 radiofrequency exposure guidelines and the ARPANSA radiofrequency exposure standard. In Australia, RF EME emissions from all wireless devices such as mobile phones, tablets and Wi-fi routers are required to comply with the public exposure limits set in the ARPANSA standard, where compliance is regulated by the Australian Communications and Media Authority.
Oddly, the authors express their results using a non-standard unit which they have named “wave intensity” and, although they clearly state that this is synonymous with the accepted term “power density”, this may lead to unnecessary confusion when comparing results to other studies. Further, they do not offer a sound scientific explanation for choosing to use this alternate terminology. The survey that demonstrated that most of the volunteers were more assured of the safety of exposure from these devices after they were provided with measurement results is an interesting observation that may be used to study risk perception of RF EME. Although it does seem to detract from the main purpose of this particular study which was environmental measurement of RF EME and comparison to international guidelines.
