Review and standardization of cell phone exposure calculations using the SAM phantom and anatomically correct head models

We reviewed articles using computational RF dosimetry to compare the Specific Anthropomorphic Mannequin (SAM) to anatomically correct models of the human head. Published conclusions based on such comparisons have varied widely. We looked for reasons that might cause apparently similar comparisons to produce dissimilar results. We also looked at the information needed to adequately compare the results of computational RF dosimetry studies. We concluded studies were not comparable because of differences in definitions, models, and methodology. Therefore we propose a protocol, developed by an IEEE standards group, as an initial step in alleviating this problem. The protocol calls for a benchmark validation study comparing the SAM phantom to two anatomically correct models of the human head. It also establishes common definitions and reporting requirements that will increase the comparability of all computational RF dosimetry studies of the human head.

[1]  R. Luebbers,et al.  FDTD predictions of electromagnetic fields in and near human bodies using Visible Human Project anatomical scans , 1996, IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society International Symposium. 1996 Digest.

[2]  J. Herbertz.  Comment on the ICNIRP guidelines for limiting exposure to time-varying electric, magnetic, and electromagnetic fields (up to 300 GHz) , 1998, Health physics.

[3]  Osamu Fujiwara,et al.  Comparison and evaluation of electromagnetic absorption characteristics in realistic human head models of adult and children for 900-MHz mobile telephones , 2003 .

[4]  N. Kuster,et al.  Differences in energy absorption between heads of adults and children in the near field of sources. , 1998, Health physics.

[5]  J J W Lagendijk,et al.  Computation of high-resolution SAR distributions in a head due to a radiating dipole antenna representing a hand-held mobile phone. , 2002, Physics in medicine and biology.

[6]  K. Caputa,et al.  An algorithm for computations of the power deposition in human tissue , 1999 .

[7]  Claire C. Gordon,et al.  2012 Anthropometric Survey of U.S. Army Personnel: Methods and Summary Statistics , 2014 .

[8]  M. Martínez‐Búrdalo,et al.  Comparison of FDTD-calculated specific absorption rate in adults and children when using a mobile phone at 900 and 1800 MHz. , 2004, Physics in medicine and biology.

[9]  O. Gandhi,et al.  Electromagnetic absorption in the human head and neck for mobile telephones at 835 and 1900 MHz , 1996 .

[10]  James C. Lin,et al.  Cellular mobile telephones and children , 2002 .

[11]  L. Cristoforetti,et al.  A semi-automatic method for developing an anthropomorphic numerical model of dielectric anatomy by MRI. , 2003, Physics in medicine and biology.

[12]  Hyung-do Choi,et al.  Human Head Size and SAR Characteristics for Handset Exposure , 2002 .

[13]  Marta Cavagnaro,et al.  Evaluation of the SAR distribution in the human head for cellular phones used in a partially closed environment , 1996 .

[14]  G. Ziegelberger,et al.  International commission on non-ionizing radiation protection. , 2006, Progress in biophysics and molecular biology.

[15]  John T. McConville,et al.  Anthropometric Survey of U.S. Army Personnel: Methods and Summary Statistics 1988 , 1989 .

[16]  M. Stuchly,et al.  A study of the handset antenna and human body interaction , 1996 .

[17]  P. Dimbylow,et al.  SAR calculations in an anatomically realistic model of the head for mobile communication transceivers at 900 MHz and 1.8 GHz. , 1994, Physics in medicine and biology.

[18]  J. Wiart,et al.  Comparison of specific absorption rate (SAR) induced in child-sized and adult heads using a dual band mobile phone , 2004, 2004 IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium Digest (IEEE Cat. No.04CH37535).

[19]  N. Kuster,et al.  The dependence of EM energy absorption upon human head modeling at 900 MHz , 1996 .

[20]  Reilly Jp.  Comments concerning "Guidelines for limiting exposure to time-varying electric, magnetic, and electromagnetic fields (up to 300 GHz)". , 1999 .

[21]  Soichi Watanabe,et al.  Size of head phantoms for standard measurements of SAR due to wireless communication devices , 2004 .

[22]  M. Clemens,et al.  High-resolution human anatomy models for advanced electromagnetic field computations , 2002 .

[23]  O. Gandhi,et al.  Some present problems and a proposed experimental phantom for SAR compliance testing of cellular telephones at 835 and 1900 MHz. , 2002, Physics in medicine and biology.

[24]  Joe Wiart,et al.  Analysis of the influence of the power control and discontinuous transmission on RF exposure with GSM mobile phones , 2000 .

[25]  Quirino Balzano,et al.  Effects of ear-connection modeling on the electromagnetic-energy absorption in a human-head phantom exposed to a dipole antenna field at 835 MHz , 2002 .

[26]  N. Kuster,et al.  Energy absorption mechanism by biological bodies in the near field of dipole antennas above 300 MHz , 1992 .

[27]  V. Anderson.  Comparisons of peak SAR levels in concentric sphere head models of children and adults for irradiation by a dipole at 900 MHz. , 2003, Physics in medicine and biology.