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Estimating transmitted power density from mobile phone: an epidemiological pilot study with a software modified phone

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Abstract

The aims of this study were to evaluate the weekly and annual cumulative radiofrequency-electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure attributed to mobile phone (MP) use, and assess whether a novel app (Quanta Monitor™) could be employed in a small human sample to characterise the RF-EMF exposures associated with the use of MPs. Ten participants provided their two months’ daily objective data on their MP exposures (i.e. transmitted and received power densities) attributed to different modes of MP usage such as cellular calls, cellular data and Wi-Fi. The results demonstrated that total transmitted power density (cellular phone calls, data and Wi-Fi surfing) could be many orders of magnitude higher than that from the total received power density. Of the total transmitted power density, cellular data use contributed the largest portion. Our study showed that Quanta Monitor™ could be employed in prospective assessment of exposures to MPs in epidemiological studies.

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Funding

This study was funded by National Health and Medical Research Council (Grant No. APP1060205).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Population Health Research on Electromagnetic Energy (PRESEE), School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 553 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia

    Chhavi Raj Bhatt, Mary Redmayne, Michael J. Abramson, Malcolm R. Sim, Christopher Brzozek, Berihun M. Zeleke & Geza Benke

Authors
  1. Chhavi Raj Bhatt
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  2. Mary Redmayne
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  3. Michael J. Abramson
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  4. Malcolm R. Sim
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  5. Christopher Brzozek
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  6. Berihun M. Zeleke
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  7. Geza Benke
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Chhavi Raj Bhatt.

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Conflict of interest

All authors declare no conflict of interest. MJA holds small parcels of shares in Telstra which operates a cell telephone network in Australia.

Ethical approval

The study conduct was approved by the Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee (project number: CF14/3613 - 2014001902).

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Bhatt, C.R., Redmayne, M., Abramson, M.J. et al. Estimating transmitted power density from mobile phone: an epidemiological pilot study with a software modified phone. Australas Phys Eng Sci Med 41, 985–991 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13246-018-0699-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13246-018-0699-7

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