Thermal Effects of the Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields Emitted from Cellular Phones on the Human Body

Overview

Objectives/Goals This study examined the thermal effects of the radiofrequency and electromagnetic fields emitted from cellular phones on the human body. A potential causal relation was investigated: does the temperature of the human body increase when exposed to the radiofrequency and electromagnetic fields emitted from cellular devices? Such changes in thermal activity are significant because research studies have shown that although the radiofrequency and electromagnetic fields emitted from cell phones are non-ionizing, they have been found to cause thermal increases in the human brain. It was hypothesized that the model(s) of iPhone emitting the highest levels of the radiofrequency and electromagnetic fields would also result in the largest increase in body temperature. Methods/Materials Levels of radio frequency waves and electromagnetic radiation emitted from 4 iPhone models at pre-determined distances (50mm, 25mm, 10mm, 0mm) were measured utilizing an electromagnetic field (EMF) meter. Then, the internal and surface thermal effects on the subject's body at each given distance were measured using an ear thermometer, a digital infrared surface thermometer, and an infrared thermo-imaging camera. Multiple (640) trials were conducted using 4 phones, 4 distances, pre-exposure readings, and both sides of the head (left and right). Finally, surface and internal thermal measurements were cross-analyzed with the EMF data. Results Data was analyzed using Chi Square. Pick#s Theorem was used to map and analyze the surface thermal changes. Increases in surface temperature in the region closest to the antenna (orbitofrontal cortex and temporal lobe) significantly increased (95% CI, p=.004) after exposure. The iPhone 7 Plus yielded the largest increases in surface (4.5ºC) and internal (.9ºC) temperatures. The iPhone 7 Plus yielded the highest level of magnetic radiation (60 MG), while the iPhone 5 yielded the highest levels of electric radiation (300 v/m). The iPhone 7 and the iPhone SE emitted the highest levels of radio frequency radiation (.3 mW/cm2). Conclusions/Discussion Positive correlations were found between the magnetic radiation emitted from cell phones and increases in surface and internal temperature. No significant correlations were found between electric or radio frequency radiation and thermal change. This research project provides data that will allow cellphone users to protect their health as knowledgeable consumers.

Competition history

• CSEF 2017 Physics & Astronomy · Entry S1809

Resources

• CSEF project summary ↗

Related projects

Closest projects by meaning, across every fair and year in the corpus.

Browse more like this

• All Physics and Astronomy projects
• CSEF Physics and Astronomy projects
• Every CSEF 2017 project