SAR in the mother and foetus for RF plane wave irradiation.
This paper describes the finite-difference time-domain calculation of SAR from 20 MHz to 3 GHz in hybrid voxel-mathematical models of the pregnant female. Mathematical models of the developing foetus at 8-, 13-, 26- and 38-week gestation were converted into voxels and combined with the reference adult female model, NAOMI at a resolution of 2 mm. Whole-body averaged SAR in the mother is presented as well as the average over the foetus, over the foetal brain and in 10 g of the foetus. The electric field values required to produce the ICNIRP public exposure restriction of 2 W kg(-1) when averaged over 10 g of the foetus were calculated. Comparison suggests that the ICNIRP public reference level is a conservative predictor of local SAR in the foetus.
Health Protection Agency, Radiation Protection Division, Chilton, Didcot, Oxon OX11 0RQ, UK.
Peter
P
Dimbylow
D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000528:radiation effects*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D011247:Pregnancy; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011846:Radio Waves; D011874:Radiometry; D013997:Time Factors; D051598:Whole Body Imaging