Assessing radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure in multiple microenvironments across ten European countries with a focus on 5G

To evaluate the implementation of 5G in Europe, we have systematically measured environmental, auto-induced downlink (DL) and uplink (UL) radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure in more than 800 microenvironments in ten European countries. Outdoor, indoor, and public transport microenvironments were measured in two cities and three villages in each country. Exposure was measured during three mobile-phone user scenarios: flight mode (non-user), inducing maximum DL traffic (max DL) or maximum UL traffic (max UL). The mobile phone was carried in a backpack, placed 30 cm from an ExpoM-RF 4 that continuously measured 35 frequency bands (87.5 MHz-6 GHz). For each user scenario, mean exposure levels were calculated. In the non-user scenario, mean exposure levels ranged from 0.33 to 1.72 mW/m<sup>2</sup> per country and were lower in Switzerland, Belgium and Italy. RF-EMF levels were, on average, 80 % lower in villages compared to cities, with DL bands contributing the most in this scenario. During max DL, exposure increased mainly due to the 5G band at 3.5 GHz (mean exposure per country 2.61-11.12 mW/m<sup>2</sup>). However, the time-division nature of this band prevents distinguishing between DL and UL signals with the ExpoM-RF4. Exposure levels were the highest during max UL, particularly in the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium, with 50 % of the mean levels per country above 16 mW/m<sup>2</sup>. Exposure was, on average, 35 % higher in villages compared to cities. Environmental exposure levels were below international guideline values. Countries with precautionary limits had lower environmental exposure levels but higher auto-induced uplink exposure during data upload.

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Publication Details

Journal
Environment International
Published
2025-05-20
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2025.109540
Citations
9
Primary Topic
Advanced MIMO Systems Optimization
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
6.57
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article

Assessing radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure in multiple microenvironments across ten European countries with a focus on 5G

Wout Joseph, Adriana Fernandes Veludo, György Thuróczy, Nina Vaupotič et al.
9 citations
Environment International
Advanced MIMO Systems Optimization
6.57
article

Assessing radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure in multiple microenvironments across ten European countries with a focus on 5G

Wout Joseph, Adriana Fernandes Veludo, György Thuróczy, Nina Vaupotič, Silvia Gallucci, Martina Benini, Magda Mariańska, Péter Pál Necz, Patricia de Llobet, Paige M. Hulls, Marta Bonato, Mònica Guxens, Gabriella Tognola, Joe Wiart, Piotr Politański, Marta Parazzini, Sam Aerts, Kenneth Deprez, Paweł Mamrot, Martin Röösli, Lea Beláčková, Gemma Castaño‐Vinyals, Wassim Ben Chikha, Bram Stroobandt, Frank de Vocht, Zsuzsanna Vecsei, Nekane Sandoval-Diez, Matthew Stamets, Kinga Polańska, Han Van Bladel
article en
9 citations

Abstract

To evaluate the implementation of 5G in Europe, we have systematically measured environmental, auto-induced downlink (DL) and uplink (UL) radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure in more than 800 microenvironments in ten European countries. Outdoor, indoor, and public transport microenvironments were measured in two cities and three villages in each country. Exposure was measured during three mobile-phone user scenarios: flight mode (non-user), inducing maximum DL traffic (max DL) or maximum UL traffic (max UL). The mobile phone was carried in a backpack, placed 30 cm from an ExpoM-RF 4 that continuously measured 35 frequency bands (87.5 MHz-6 GHz). For each user scenario, mean exposure levels were calculated. In the non-user scenario, mean exposure levels ranged from 0.33 to 1.72 mW/m<sup>2</sup> per country and were lower in Switzerland, Belgium and Italy. RF-EMF levels were, on average, 80 % lower in villages compared to cities, with DL bands contributing the most in this scenario. During max DL, exposure increased mainly due to the 5G band at 3.5 GHz (mean exposure per country 2.61-11.12 mW/m<sup>2</sup>). However, the time-division nature of this band prevents distinguishing between DL and UL signals with the ExpoM-RF4. Exposure levels were the highest during max UL, particularly in the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium, with 50 % of the mean levels per country above 16 mW/m<sup>2</sup>. Exposure was, on average, 35 % higher in villages compared to cities. Environmental exposure levels were below international guideline values. Countries with precautionary limits had lower environmental exposure levels but higher auto-induced uplink exposure during data upload.

Environment InternationalVol. 200
Télécom Paris (FR), University of Vienna (AT), Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (CH), Universitat Pompeu Fabra (ES), University of the West of England (GB), Utrecht University (NL), Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine (PL), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ES), Ghent University (BE), University of Bristol (GB), iMinds (BE), Institute of Electronics, Computer and Telecommunication Engineering (IT), NIHR Bristol Biomedical Research Centre (GB), Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ES), The Hague University of Applied Sciences (NL), Delft University of Technology (NL)
Openalex Percentile: Top 3%
Advanced MIMO Systems Optimization
6.57
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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