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Personal Exposure Assessment to Wi-Fi Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields in Mexican Microenvironments

Author

Listed:
  • Raquel Ramirez-Vazquez

    (Applied Physics Department, Faculty of Computer Science Engineering, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Avda. de España s/n, Campus Universitario, 02071 Albacete, Spain)

  • Jesus Gonzalez-Rubio

    (Medical Science Department, School of Medicine, University of Castilla-La Mancha, C/Almansa 14, 02071 Albacete, Spain)

  • Isabel Escobar

    (Applied Physics Department, Faculty of Computer Science Engineering, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Avda. de España s/n, Campus Universitario, 02071 Albacete, Spain)

  • Carmen del Pilar Suarez Rodriguez

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Autonomous University of San Luis Potosi, Academic Coordination of the Huasteca South Region, Tamazunchale, San Luis Potosi 79960, Mexico)

  • Enrique Arribas

    (Applied Physics Department, Faculty of Computer Science Engineering, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Avda. de España s/n, Campus Universitario, 02071 Albacete, Spain)

Abstract

In recent years, personal exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields (RF-EMF) has substantially increased, and most studies about RF-EMF with volunteers have been developed in Europe. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study carried out in Mexico with personal exposimeters. The main objective was to measure personal exposure to RF-EMF from Wireless Fidelity or wireless Internet connection (Wi-Fi) frequency bands in Tamazunchale, San Luis Potosi, Mexico, to compare results with maximum levels permitted by international recommendations and to find if there are differences in the microenvironments subject to measurements. The study was conducted with 63 volunteers in different microenvironments: home, workplace, outside, schools, travel, and shopping. The mean minimum values registered were 146.5 μW/m 2 in travel from the Wi-Fi 2G band and 116.8 μW/m 2 at home from the Wi-Fi 5G band, and the maximum values registered were 499.7 μW/m 2 and 264.9 μW/m 2 at the workplace for the Wi-Fi 2G band and the Wi-Fi 5G band, respectively. In addition, by time period and type of day, minimum values were registered at nighttime, these values being 129.4 μW/m 2 and 93.9 μW/m 2 , and maximum values were registered in the daytime, these values being 303.1 μW/m 2 and 168.3 μW/m 2 for the Wi-Fi 2G and Wi-Fi 5G bands, respectively. In no case, values exceeded limits established by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). Of the study participants ( n = 63), a subgroup ( n = 35) answered a survey on risk perception. According to these results, the Tamazunchale (Mexico) population is worried about this situation in comparison with several European cities; however, the risk perception changes when they are informed about the results for the study.

Suggested Citation

  • Raquel Ramirez-Vazquez & Jesus Gonzalez-Rubio & Isabel Escobar & Carmen del Pilar Suarez Rodriguez & Enrique Arribas, 2021. "Personal Exposure Assessment to Wi-Fi Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields in Mexican Microenvironments," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-20, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:4:p:1857-:d:499489
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    References listed on IDEAS

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