title: A model for radiofrequency electromagnetic field predictions at outdoor and indoor locations in the context of epidemiological research.
abstract: We present a geospatial model to predict the radiofrequency electromagnetic field from fixed site transmitters for use in epidemiological exposure assessment. The proposed model extends an existing model toward the prediction of indoor exposure, that is, at the homes of potential study participants. The model is based on accurate operation parameters of all stationary transmitters of mobile communication base stations, and radio broadcast and television transmitters for an extended urban and suburban region in the Basel area (Switzerland). The model was evaluated by calculating Spearman rank correlations and weighted Cohen's kappa (kappa) statistics between the model predictions and measurements obtained at street level, in the homes of volunteers, and in front of the windows of these homes. The correlation coefficients of the numerical predictions with street level measurements were 0.64, with indoor measurements 0.66, and with window measurements 0.67. The kappa coefficients were 0.48 (95%-confidence interval: 0.35-0.61) for street level measurements, 0.44 (95%-CI: 0.32-0.57) for indoor measurements, and 0.53 (95%-CI: 0.42-0.65) for window measurements. Although the modeling of shielding effects by walls and roofs requires considerable simplifications of a complex environment, we found a comparable accuracy of the model for indoor and outdoor points.
authors.affiliation: ARIAS umwelt.forschung.beratung, Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Alfred
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bürgi
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Frei
authors.forename: Gaston
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Theis
authors.forename: Evelyn
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mohler
authors.forename: Charlotte
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Braun-Fahrländer
authors.forename: Jürg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fröhlich
authors.forename: Georg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Neubauer
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Egger
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Röösli
mesh_terms: D001108:Architecture; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D004777:Environment; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D006798:Housing; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011846:Radio Waves; D013557:Switzerland; D014505:Urban Population