Exposure to radio-frequency electromagnetic fields emitted by a mobile phone in three exposure conditions

C

Mobile phones: a trade-off between speech intelligibility and exposure to noise levels and to radio-frequency electromagnetic fields

When making phone calls, cellphone and smartphone users are exposed to radio-frequency (RF) electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and sound pressure simultaneously. Speech intelligibility during mobile phone calls is related to the sound pressure level of speech relative to potential background sounds and also to the RF-EMF exposure, since the signal quality is correlated with the RF-EMF strength. Additionally, speech intelligibility, sound pressure level, and exposure to RF-EMFs are dependent on how the call is made (on speaker, held at the ear, or with headsets). The relationship between speech intelligibility, sound exposure, and exposure to RF-EMFs is determined in this study. To this aim, the transmitted RF-EMF power was recorded during phone calls made by 53 subjects in three different, controlled exposure scenarios: calling with the phone at the ear, calling in speaker mode, and calling with a headset. This emitted power is directly proportional to the exposure to RF EMFs and is translated into specific absorption rate using numerical simulations. Simultaneously, sound pressure levels have been recorded and speech intelligibility has been assessed during each phone call. The results show that exposure to RF-EMFs, quantified as the specific absorption in the head, will be reduced when speaker-mode or a headset is used, in comparison to calling next to the ear. Additionally, personal exposure to sound pressure is also found to be highest in the condition where the phone is held next to the ear. On the other hand, speech perception is found to be the best when calling with a phone next to the ear in comparison to the other studied conditions, when background noise is present

Determination of Base Station Emission Power Change in a Mobile Network Cell with Movable Users

This paper considers base transceiver station (BTS) emission power change in the cell-organized mobile network with dynamic power control, due to users’ moving. Such power adjustment contributes to energy saving and environment pollution reduction. We analyzed mutual influence of user’s moving speed, users’ surface distribution and propagation coefficient γ on BTS power variations. It is proved that users’ concentration near BTS, greater γ (in urban areas), faster user’s moving and greater connection duration contribute to BTS power increase of several tens of percent in real conditions. We present two examples when mean user’s moving distance is 30% of mobile cell radius: 1) power of one movable user is increased more than 50% when distance between user and BTS is uniformly distributed (decreasing users’ surface density); 2) emission power is decreased 2.5% when users are uniformly distributed (there are more users near a cell rim). BTS power has nearly constant value in the second example, because in our model users, crossing the cell rim, are replaced by users from adjacent cells, who are moving towards BTS. The analysis results are verified by Monte Carlo simulation, where user’s starting position, displacement and angle of moving are determined based on randomly generated numbers

The determination of mobile network architecture impact on population total exposure to electromagnetic field

Pitanje izloženosti elektromagnetskom polju koje potiče od mobilnih komunikacionih sistema pažnju javnosti privuklo je sa širenjem ovih sistema i sa sve dužim vremenom korišćenja, a posebno sa uvođenjem 5G tehnologije u višim frekvencijskim opsezima, sa naprednim tehnikama prenosa i velikim brojem malih ćelija i korisničkih uređaja. Regulativa u ovoj oblasti definiše bazična ograničenja i referentne granične nivoe, pri čemu se usklađenost sa normama za korisničke uređaje i za bazne stanice proverava na različit način. Na ovaj način se ne može odrediti stvarna izloženost u toku korišćenja mobilnog uređaja niti izvršiti poređenja komponenata izloženosti. U ovoj disertaciji definisana je metoda za određivanje srednje stvarne izloženosti stanovništva koja potiče od korisničkih uređaja i baznih stanica, na način da se u najvećoj meri koriste podaci iz same mobilne mreže. Utvrđeni su osnovni činioci koji utiču na izloženost. Izvršena je analiza uticaja korišćenih servisa odnosno ponašanja korisnika. Uticaj arhitekture mreže razmatran je u dva testna slučaja, dodavanjem malih ćelija na dve lokacije, na otvorenom i u zatvorenom, sa dve antenske konfiguracije. U prvom slučaju je uvođenje malih ćelija u GSM i UMTS tehnologiji smanjilo ukupnu izloženost više od 84%, a u drugom više od 58% u oblasti pokrivanja malih ćelija, dominantno kao posledica smanjenja zračenja korisničkih uređaja preko GSM-a. U drugom slučaju se ukupna izloženost od UMTS-a povećala usled blizine antena male ćelije. Rezultati pokazuju da male ćelije u opštem slučaju smanjuju izloženost usled smanjenja predajne snage korisničkih uređaja, ali i da je potrebno pažljivo planiranje arhitekture jer se u nekim slučajevima izloženost može i povećati. Definisana metoda predstavlja statistički proračun stvarne izloženosti u složenom okruženju i može se primeniti za bilo koji bežični sistem uz odgovarajuće prikupljanje podataka. Predloženi su napredni alati u mreži za precizniji proračun i date su smernice za smanjenje izloženosti, koje bi se uz alate za samo-evaluaciju moglo postaviti kao još jedan cilj samo-optimizacije mreže.Exposure to electromagnetic fields induced by mobile communication systems has gained public attention with the expansion of these systems and longer usage times, and specially with the introduction of 5G technology in higher frequency bands, with advanced transmission techniques and huge number of small cells and user devices. Regulations in the area define basic restrictions and reference levels, whereby the compliance is verified using different procedures for user devices and for base stations. This way the actual exposure during real usage of mobile device cannot be determined, nor can the exposure components be compared. This research defined a method for determining the average actual exposure of population originated from user devices and base stations, using data from the mobile network to the maximum extent. Basic factors that affect exposure are determined. The impact of services used i.e. user behaviour on exposure was analyzed. The impact of mobile network architecture was evaluated through two test cases, adding small cells at two sites, outdoors and indoors, with two antenna configurations. In the first case, the introduction of small cells in GSM and UMTS technologies reduced the total exposure by more than 84%, and in the second case by more than 58%, in the coverage area of small cells, predominantly as the result of decreased radiation of user devices over GSM. However, in the second case the total exposure originated from UMTS increased due to vicinity of small cell antennas. Results indicate that small cells generally reduce exposure due to decrease of user device transmit power, but also point out that careful planning of the architecture is needed as in some cases the exposure might rise. The defined method represents a statistical calculus of actual exposure in complex environment and it may be applied to any wireless system with the appropriate data collection. Usage of advanced network tools is proposed for more precise calculation and guidelines are given for exposure reduction, which could be set as another target for network self-optimization based on self-evaluation

The Largest Unethical Medical Experiment in Human History

This monograph describes the largest unethical medical experiment in human history: the implementation and operation of non-ionizing non-visible EMF radiation (hereafter called wireless radiation) infrastructure for communications, surveillance, weaponry, and other applications. It is unethical because it violates the key ethical medical experiment requirement for “informed consent” by the overwhelming majority of the participants. The monograph provides background on unethical medical research/experimentation, and frames the implementation of wireless radiation within that context. The monograph then identifies a wide spectrum of adverse effects of wireless radiation as reported in the premier biomedical literature for over seven decades. Even though many of these reported adverse effects are extremely severe, the true extent of their severity has been grossly underestimated. Most of the reported laboratory experiments that produced these effects are not reflective of the real-life environment in which wireless radiation operates. Many experiments do not include pulsing and modulation of the carrier signal, and most do not account for synergistic effects of other toxic stimuli acting in concert with the wireless radiation. These two additions greatly exacerbate the severity of the adverse effects from wireless radiation, and their neglect in current (and past) experimentation results in substantial under-estimation of the breadth and severity of adverse effects to be expected in a real-life situation. This lack of credible safety testing, combined with depriving the public of the opportunity to provide informed consent, contextualizes the wireless radiation infrastructure operation as an unethical medical experiment

Constructing an EMF radiation Hygeia framework and model to demonstrate a public interest override

Scientific views on EMF radiation dosimetry and models increasingly suggest that even a tiny increase in the incidence of diseases resulting from exposure to EMF radiation could have broad¹ implications for public health, social accounting and the economy. In South Africa (SA) there is no national EMF radiation exposure protection standard, statutory monitoring or regulations. Multinational High Court deliberations indicate the need for public interest EMF radiation exposure protection standards in South Africa. Domestic citizens, academics, as well as regulatory and legislative practitioners, are unable to effectively monitor and investigate EMF radiation exposure emissions from infrastructure sources, because industries refuse to provide the required data. Industries have, since 2003, continually obstructed access to the data and the establishment of a national EMF radiation standard, citing that it would be in conflict with their strategic economic interests. The demonstration of a public interest override (PIO) function is legislatively required to gain access to the required data. This study constructed (1) a framework and (2) a model to perform test simulations against the (3) PIO criteria to demonstrate a PIO function and tested one PIO simulation scenario. Testing the PIO scenario firstly required the construction of a public interest framework, drawing input from multiple disciplines. The framework literature review used systematic case law and scientific-technical analysis whilst the framework science sought to understand the connections, feedbacks, and trajectories that occur as a result of natural and human system processes and exchanges. The EMF radiation exposure system functions to support human wellbeing needs and to explore the benefits and losses associated with alternative futures with the goal to uncover the current and future limits thereof. In the second instance a HYGEIA² model was selected as a base investigation and forecast simulation tool. The study had to uncover the key attributes and parameters necessary to construct and to run successful EMF radiation exposure simulations. Thereafter the HYGEIA model was modified to specifically identify and evaluate EMF radiation exposure hazard conditions. Through subsequent simulation runs, the constructed framework was then tested. Requested anthroposphere information was synthesized within a systems model to forecast ecosystem services and human-use dynamics under alternative scenarios. The simulation used the model, the model references and the framework for guidelines, thus allowing multiple simulation / demonstration runs for different contexts or scenarios. The third step was the construction of a PIO checklist which guides criteria testing and provides a means of gaining pertinent information for further studies, based on this dissertation. Framework EMF radiation policy inputs into the model were intersected with identified vulnerable area facilities which were selected based on international criteria. The research output revealed potential EMF radiation violations which served as system feedback inputs in support of a demonstrated PIO function. The research recommends that the identified EMF radiation exposure violations of public health undergo a Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) judicial review process to confirm the research findings. The judicial qualification of a PAIA PIO function of ‘substances released into the environment’ and ‘public safety or environmental risk’ would enable access to EMF radiation emissions data essential to future studies

Impact assessment modelling of the matter-less stressors in the context of Life Cycle Assessment

In the last three decades, the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) framework has grown to establish itself as the leading tool for the assessment of the environmental impacts of product systems.LCA studies are now conducted globally both in and outside the academia and also used as a basis for policy making.Now that the science behind existing and established impact assessment models is more solid, LCA modellers may work on deepening and broadening LCA, and on tackling the issues that make the framework incomplete or uncertain.This work of thesis deals with the complete modelling of stressors that are not related to the standard extraction/emission pattern, thus that do not relate to the extraction of a certain quantity of matter or to the emission of matter to the environment.These stressors may be defined in this acceptation as matter-less.The thesis analyses the development of impact assessment models for the case of sound emissions determining noise impacts, radio-frequency electromagnetic emissions leading to electromagnetic pollution, and light emissions determining ecological light pollution.Through the study of these matter-less stressors the computational structure and other methodological topics of the LCA framework are put to the test.Industrial Ecolog

Intelligent Circuits and Systems

ICICS-2020 is the third conference initiated by the School of Electronics and Electrical Engineering at Lovely Professional University that explored recent innovations of researchers working for the development of smart and green technologies in the fields of Energy, Electronics, Communications, Computers, and Control. ICICS provides innovators to identify new opportunities for the social and economic benefits of society.　 This conference bridges the gap between academics and R&D institutions, social visionaries, and experts from all strata of society to present their ongoing research activities and foster research relations between them. It provides opportunities for the exchange of new ideas, applications, and experiences in the field of smart technologies and finding global partners for future collaboration. The ICICS-2020 was conducted in two broad categories, Intelligent Circuits & Intelligent Systems and Emerging Technologies in Electrical Engineering

Telemedicine

Telemedicine is a rapidly evolving field as new technologies are implemented for example for the development of wireless sensors, quality data transmission. Using the Internet applications such as counseling, clinical consultation support and home care monitoring and management are more and more realized, which improves access to high level medical care in underserved areas. The 23 chapters of this book present manifold examples of telemedicine treating both theoretical and practical foundations and application scenarios