Preliminary background indoor EMF measurements in Greece. Issue 7 (November 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kottou, Sofia; Nikolopoulos, Dimitrios; Yannakopoulos, Panayiotis H.; Vogiannis, Efstratios; Petraki, Ermioni; Panagiotaras, Dionisios; Koulougliotis, Dionysios
• Is Part Of: Physica medica. Volume 31:Issue 7(2015)
• Page Start: 808
• Page End: 816
• Publication Date: 2015-11
• Subjects: Electromagnetic field (EMF) -- Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) -- Extremely low frequency (ELF) -- Radiofrequency (RF) -- Electric field -- Magnetic field -- Power density; Medical physics -- Periodicals; Biophysics -- Periodicals; Biophysics -- Periodicals; Imagerie médicale -- Périodiques; Radiothérapie -- Périodiques; Rayons X -- Sécurité -- Mesures -- Périodiques; Physique -- Périodiques; Médecine -- Périodiques; 610.153
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmp.2015.05.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1120-1797

Abstract

Abstract: The main purpose of this work was to investigate the fluctuation of Greek indoor electromagnetic field (EMF) intensity values and identify peaks that might occur. The scientific interest is mainly focused on the bands of extremely low-frequency (ELF) magnetic fields and radiofrequency (RF) electric fields which have been suggested to be possibly carcinogenic to humans by the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR). Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) measurements were performed in a variety of indoor dwellings, in Attica and in the islands of Zakynthos and Lesvos. A total number of 4540 measurements were taken in a wide frequency range (50 Hz–2100 MHz) of which 3301 in Attica, 963 in Lesvos and 276 in Zakynthos. Statistical analysis of the data revealed specific statistically significant differences between the mean values of the electric (ELF and RF) but not the magnetic (ELF) field strengths measured at different distances from the EMF source, as well as between some of the mean values of the RF electric field at different bands. Some statistically significant differences between mean electric field values at different geographic locations were also identified. As far as the RF electric field is concerned, the maximum values, in most cases, were below 0.5 V/m, however increased values above 1 V/m and up to 5.6 V/m were occasionally observed. The ELF magnetic field values were lower than 1 μT. It may be concluded that overall, the observed indoor EMF intensity values remained well below domestic and European established limits. Highlights: Mobile phone, Wi-Fi modems and DECT facilities expose people to the higher EMF values. All measured indoor EMF values remained below officially established limits. Maximum ELF electric field value (678 V/m) found to be above 'non thermal effects' limit. Maximum RF electric field value (5.6 V/m) found to be above 'non thermal effects' limit. Maximum RF power density (83.2 mW/m 2 ) found to be close but below 'non thermal effects' limit.