Assessment of Environmental Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Field Levels in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Preterm neonates represent a vulnerable population with a high sensitivity to their environment. While hospitalized in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU), they can possibly be exposed to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) due to the increased number of devices using wireless communications (mobile phones, DECT, WIFI). Strikingly, data on RF-EMF levels in NICU are currently not available in the literature.

The aim of the present study was to quantify the RF-EMF levels in a NICU by performing a mapping of environmental RF-EMF levels and by measuring spot emissions from medical devices.

Measurements of RF-EMF levels were performed in a tertiary NICU including 34 beds using three-axis dosimeters. A first set of 24h measurements aimed at evaluating the RF-EMF levels in the general environment and in children’s rooms. A second set of measurements, in faradised chamber, assessed RF-EMF emitted by medical devices commonly used in the NICU and identified as potential sources of exposure.

For a total of 102 measurement points were analysed. Mean RF-EMF levels were significantly higher in the staff environment than in children’s rooms (p<0.0011), and were also significantly higher during the day than during the night (p<0.001). The highest RF-EMF levels (above the mean value ± 2SD) represented 3.5% of the measurement duration. Very high peak values above 6 V/m were also detected. The measurements with isolated NICU medical devices showed that they do not emit RF fields.

Globally, mean RF-EMF levels in the NICU were low. The detection of RF-EMF levels was more probably related to the parents and staff activities rather than to medical devices. A chronic exposure combined with high peak values in this specifically vulnerable population should require particular attention. Decreasing the preterm neonates’ exposure to RF-EMF would include parental and staff intervention to reduce the wireless communication and others devices in the NICU.