Biological Effects of EM

Radiation
Lecture 01: Introduction
ELC 405b – Spring 2020

Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering

Faculty of Engineering – Cairo University
Contact

 Email Address:
Mohamed.Alaaeldin@cu.edu.eg

 Office Hours:
Sundays: after the lecture

© Mohamed A. Moharram, 2019 2

Course Outline
Bio Effects

Antennas Wave
for Wireless Propagation

EM Shielding

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Lecture Code:
Active Learning

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https://blog.skolera.com/2018/06/20/active-learning/#.XF8ev7hS9PY
Lecture Code:
Mobile Phones

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 You can come and leave anytime,
without permission → make it
quick and quite

Lecture
You can eat and drink → no
Code: sound – no smell

Freedoms
We should limit our conversations
to the lecture topics, as possible
☺

© Mohamed A. Moharram, 2019 6

 The Compliment Sandwich Feedback
Technique

© Mohamed A. Moharram, 2019 http://www.rightattitudes.com/2008/02/20/sandwich-feedback-technique/

7
Grading

 30% term work and 70% final written exam

 Term work:
 10% lecture and task participation (Group Work)
 20% Course Project (Group Work) – TBD
 10% Written Report
 10% Oral Presentation/Poster Session

 NO MIDTERM EXAM ☺
 Group work activity outcomes to be included in the final exam

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TASK

 Form Groups (4~6 students)

 Email names, section no., bench no. to:
Mohamed.alaaeldin@cu.edu.eg
 Email title: ELC 405B Group
 Response should be with a group number → important to keep this number for
future communications
 Deadline: Feb 13, 2020 (11:59 PM)

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Introduction to Biological Effects of
EM Radiation

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 Question
Do we get exposed to EM
radiation on a daily basis? In
which situations?

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 Question
Is exposure to EM
radiation harmful?

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Electromagnetic Spectrum:
bit.ly/2TKsEWM
Important Frequency Bands

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 Question
How do we quantify exposure
to radiation? Are there
standards for exposure
dosage/limitation?

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Exposure Scenarios:
Different Types of Exposure Situations/Mechanisms

Intentional vs. Unintentional

Natural vs. Man-made

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Exposure Scenarios:
Different Types of Exposure Situations/Mechanisms

Controlled vs. Uncontrolled

Public vs. Occupational

Ionizing vs. Non-Ionizing

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Exposure Scenarios:
Controlled Exposure

Controlled Exposure

a. the RF field intensities in the controlled area have been adequately

characterized by means of measurements, calculations or modeling (such as
with the use of 2D or 3D EM software [MoM, FDTD, FDFD, FEM, FIT]),
b. the exposure is incurred by persons who are aware of the potential for RF
exposure and are cognizant of the intensity of the RF energy in their environment
and,
c. the exposure is incurred by persons who are aware of the potential health risks
associated with RF energy exposures and whom can control their risk using
mitigation strategies

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Typical Exposure Effects

Mutageniciy and Tumor Cardiovascular

Heating
DNA Damage Initiation Functions

Localized Mortality Memory Reproductive

Cancers
Heating
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Rates Behavior 18
Functions
Codes and Regulations
Purpose
Safety
Code

Safety of Individuals Equipment Certification

By specifying the maximum By specifying the emission levels

levels of exposure. from devices.

Safety codes are not concerned with deliberate exposure, as in cases of medical
treatment. Protocols are developed, approved and supervised by medical doctors.
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Codes and Regulations
Basic Quantities and Definitions

d  dW  d  dW 
SAR = =
 dm  dt   dV 
dt  

 (r ) E (r )
2
2
 E 1
SAR =

SARavg =
V V  ( r ) dv

© Mohamed A. Moharram, 2019

http://bit.ly/2Gz3qXo 20
 Codes and Regulations
Sample Codes and Regulations
Authority/ Code Purpose
Body
NTRA - Protocols defining installation of mobile stations.
IEEE C95.6 Safety Levels with Respect to Human Exposure to Electromagnetic
Fields, 0–3 kHz
IEEE C95.1 Safety Levels with Respect to Human Exposure to Radio
Frequency Electromagnetic Fields, 3 kHz to 300 GHz
Health Safety Code 6 Limits of Human Exposure to Radiofrequency electromagnetic
Canada Energy in the Frequency Range from 3 kHz to 300 GHz
EU 2004/40/EC Minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of
workers to risks arising from electromagnetic fields
FCC 96-326 Exposure limits for electric and magnetic field strength and power
density at frequencies from 300 kHz to 100 GHz
ICNIRP For limiting exposure to time-varying electric, magnetic, and
© Mohamed A. Moharram, 2019 electromagnetic fields (up to 300 GHz) 21

ICNIRP Limits of exposure to static magnetic fields

Meters and Detectors:
Sample Devices

http://bit.ly/2GhGUDh
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Conclusions

 EM radiation has health effects that vary from induced currents to heating to
DNA damage, according to the frequency of the signal.

 Exposure to EM radiation occurs in different scenarios and conditions. Man-

made exposure has to be characterized, assessed and mitigated, if needed.

 EM exposure is typically quantified by the SAR, and maximum allowable

values of electric, magnetic field intensities and power density.

 Many commercial devices are available to measure the level of exposure to

EM radiation.
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