Methodological approaches to measuring and evaluating the effects of electromagnetic fields generated by smartphones

Introduction. Among the population, smartphones are the most common mobile radio frequency receiving and transmitting devices with a complex operating system, a microprocessor, a large amount of memory, etc. It is an urgent task to measure and evaluate the smartphone electromagnetic fields (EMF) exposing to a person.

The purpose of the study. Comparative analysis of domestic and foreign methodological approaches to measuring and evaluating electromagnetic fields of the radio frequency range (RF) created by smartphones.

Materials and methods. Analysis of foreign and domestic regulatory and methodological documents, scientific publications on the measurement and evaluation of the effects of EMF of mobile phones. Conducting pilot instrumental measurements during the operation of smartphones in the real mode of using the subscriber terminal.

Results. There are presented results of the study of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) of smartphones. The study of methodological approaches to measuring and evaluating the smartphone EMF in foreign and domestic regulatory and methodological documents, publications on the issue under consideration in scientific peer-reviewed journals. There have been performed pilot instrumental measurements of energy flux density (EFD) levels of EMF when different smartphone models are working indoors in dial mode.

Limitations. The measurement of EMF levels by the broadband measuring instrument PZ-42 limited the possibilities of a detailed assessment of EMF.

Conclusion. A detailed study of the EMF parameters created by smartphones in a wide range of frequencies and under various operating modes (data reception/transmission using the Internet, Wi-Fi connections, operation in router mode, etc.) is required. It is necessary to develop and manufacture domestic selective devices — EMF meters of the radio frequency range, including in the near zone radiation.

Compliance with ethical standards: the study does not require the submission of the conclusion of the biomedical ethics committee or other documents.

Contribution:
Nikitina V.N. — the concept and design of the study, collection and processing of material, writing a text;
Kalinina N.I. — collection of literature data, collection and processing of material, editing;
Lyashko G.G. — collection of literature data, collection and processing of material, editing;
Dubrovskaya E.N. — collection of literature data, collection and processing of material, editing;
Plekhanov V.P. — collection of literature data, collection and processing of material.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version. 

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest. 

Acknowledgement. The study had no sponsorship. 

Received: May 17, 2022 / Accepted: August 04, 2022 / Published: September 14, 2022