title: Characterization of indoor extremely low frequency and low frequency electromagnetic fields in the INMA-Granada cohort.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To characterize the exposure to electric fields and magnetic fields of non-ionizing radiation in the electromagnetic spectrum (15 Hz to 100 kHz) in the dwellings of children from the Spanish Environment and Childhood-"INMA" population-based birth cohort.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study sample was drawn from the INMA-Granada cohort. Out of 300 boys participating in the 9-10 year follow-up, 123 families agreed to the exposure assessment at home and completed a specific ad hoc questionnaire gathering information on sources of non-ionizing radiation electric and magnetic fields inside the homes and on patterns of use. Long-term indoor measurements were carried out in the living room and bedroom.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Survey data showed a low exposure in the children's homes according to reference levels of the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection but with large differences among homes in mean and maximum values. Daytime electrostatic and magnetic fields were below the quantification limit in 78.6% (92 dwellings) and 92.3% (108 dwellings) of houses, with an arithmetic mean value (± standard deviation) of 7.31±9.32 V/m and 162.30±91.16 nT, respectively. Mean magnetic field values were 1.6 lower during the night than the day. Nocturnal electrostatic values were not measured. Exposure levels were influenced by the area of residence (higher values in urban/semi-urban versus rural areas), type of dwelling, age of dwelling, floor of the dwelling, and season.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Given the greater sensitivity to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields of children and following the precautionary principle, preventive measures are warranted to reduce their exposure.
authors.affiliation: University of Granada, San Cecilio University Hospital, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.Granada, Granada, Spain; Unit Research Support of the San Cecilio University Hospital, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.Granada, Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Calvente
authors.affiliation: Unit Research Support of the San Cecilio University Hospital, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.Granada, Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dávila-Arias
authors.affiliation: Unit Research Support of the San Cecilio University Hospital, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.Granada, Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: Olga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ocón-Hernández
authors.affiliation: University of Granada, San Cecilio University Hospital, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.Granada, Granada, Spain; Unit Research Support of the San Cecilio University Hospital, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.Granada, Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: Rocío
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pérez-Lobato
authors.affiliation: Unit Research Support of the San Cecilio University Hospital, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.Granada, Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ramos
authors.affiliation: University of Granada, San Cecilio University Hospital, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.Granada, Granada, Spain; Department of Radiology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Artacho-Cordón
authors.affiliation: University of Granada, San Cecilio University Hospital, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.Granada, Granada, Spain; Department of Radiology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain; CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Nicolás
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Olea
authors.affiliation: University of Granada, San Cecilio University Hospital, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.Granada, Granada, Spain; Department of Radiology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: María Isabel
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Núñez
authors.affiliation: University of Granada, San Cecilio University Hospital, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.Granada, Granada, Spain; Department of Radiology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain; CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Mariana F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Fernández
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D062486:Public Health Surveillance; D013030:Spain