Body Shadow Effect Avoidance Through Effective Analysis of Exposure with Personal Exposimeters in Indoor Enclosures

Abstract

In terms of electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure, the limits established in the national and international standards for health protection have been set for unperturbed exposure conditions, that is, for real and objective exposure data that have not been altered in any way. In the GHz range, when personal exposimeters (PEMs) are worn on the body, logged data are underestimated regarding real exposure conditions. This effect, defined as body shadow effect (BSE), is an uncertain factor associated with the use of PEMs. The intention is to improve the use of PEMs as measuring devices in compliance tests, avoiding the BSE. A well-defined experimental procedure is presented through the evaluation of an upper level of exposure in the 2.4 GHz band in indoor enclosures. It is recommended to keep the PEM separate from the body and in LoS with the radiation source.