title: Outdoor characterization of radio frequency electromagnetic fields in a Spanish birth cohort.
abstract: There is considerable public concern in many countries about the possible adverse effects of exposure to non-ionizing radiation electromagnetic fields, especially in vulnerable populations such as children. The aim of this study was to characterize environmental exposure profiles within the frequency range 100kHz-6GHz in the immediate surrounds of the dwellings of 123 families from the INMA-Granada birth cohort in Southern Spain, using spot measurements. The arithmetic mean root mean-square electric field (ERMS) and power density (SRMS) values were, respectively, 195.79mV/m (42.3% of data were above this mean) and 799.01µW/m(2) (30% of values were above this mean); median values were 148.80mV/m and 285.94µW/m(2), respectively. Exposure levels below the quantification limit were assigned a value of 0.01V/m. Incident field strength levels varied widely among different areas or towns/villages, demonstrating spatial variability in the distribution of exposure values related to the surface area population size and also among seasons. Although recorded values were well below International Commission for Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection reference levels, there is a particular need to characterize incident field strength levels in vulnerable populations (e.g., children) because of their chronic and ever-increasing exposure. The effects of incident field strength have not been fully elucidated; however, it may be appropriate to apply the precautionary principle in order to reduce exposure in susceptible groups.
authors.affiliation: Unit Research Support of the San Cecilio University Hospital, Biosanitary Institute of Granada (ibs.GRANADA), University Hospitals of Granada/University of Granada, Granada, Spain; Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Av. Madreid s/n, Granada 18071, Spain.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Calvente
authors.affiliation: Unit Research Support of the San Cecilio University Hospital, Biosanitary Institute of Granada (ibs.GRANADA), University Hospitals of Granada/University of Granada, Granada, Spain; Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Av. Madreid s/n, Granada 18071, Spain; CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain.
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Fernández
authors.affiliation: Unit Research Support of the San Cecilio University Hospital, Biosanitary Institute of Granada (ibs.GRANADA), University Hospitals of Granada/University of Granada, Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pérez-Lobato
authors.affiliation: Unit Research Support of the San Cecilio University Hospital, Biosanitary Institute of Granada (ibs.GRANADA), University Hospitals of Granada/University of Granada, Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dávila-Arias
authors.affiliation: Unit Research Support of the San Cecilio University Hospital, Biosanitary Institute of Granada (ibs.GRANADA), University Hospitals of Granada/University of Granada, Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ocón
authors.affiliation: Unit Research Support of the San Cecilio University Hospital, Biosanitary Institute of Granada (ibs.GRANADA), University Hospitals of Granada/University of Granada, Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ramos
authors.affiliation: Unit Research Support of the San Cecilio University Hospital, Biosanitary Institute of Granada (ibs.GRANADA), University Hospitals of Granada/University of Granada, Granada, Spain; Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Av. Madreid s/n, Granada 18071, Spain.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ríos-Arrabal
authors.affiliation: CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Villalba-Moreno
authors.affiliation: Unit Research Support of the San Cecilio University Hospital, Biosanitary Institute of Granada (ibs.GRANADA), University Hospitals of Granada/University of Granada, Granada, Spain; Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Av. Madreid s/n, Granada 18071, Spain; CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Olea
authors.affiliation: Unit Research Support of the San Cecilio University Hospital, Biosanitary Institute of Granada (ibs.GRANADA), University Hospitals of Granada/University of Granada, Granada, Spain; Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Av. Madreid s/n, Granada 18071, Spain; CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Spain; Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine Institute (IBIMER) University of Granada, Spain. Electronic address: isabeln@ugr.es.
authors.forename: M I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Núñez
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011846:Radio Waves / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013030:Spain
keywords: Children; Electromagnetic fields; Exposure assessment method; Non-ionizing radiation; Radiofrequency