RF-EMF exposure levels in sensitive land use in Greece: Educational units census in the municipality of korydallos

Abstract

Background: The growing popularity of mobile phones and the expansion of network infrastructure in Greece have raised concerns about the possible negative health effects on sensitive groups, such as children, from exposure to long-term radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs). Aims: The objective of this study is to estimate mean RF-EMF exposure levels of primary and secondary education schools located in the municipality of Korydallos, Athens, Greece. Methods: We performed measurements to all the schools units (n = 62) in the region in order to calculate the mean value for RF-EMF exposure in the range of 27 MHz-3 GHz, which covers the whole spectrum of RF-EMF sources. Results: At the 97.5% of schools found in Korydallos region, the exposure level is at least 2200 times below the Greek exposure limits. Conclusion: The exposure levels in the locations tested are both below 60% of the highest limit set by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection regarding school exposures. © The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com