• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.63 no.11
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• pp.422-428
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• 2020

In today's world, most children are exposed to various manmade electromagnetic fields (EMFs). EMFs are electromagnetic waves less than 300 GHz. A developing child's brain is vulnerable to electromagnetic radiation; thus, their caregivers' concerns about the health effects of EMFs are increasing. EMF exposure is divided into 2 categories: extremely low frequencies (ELFs; 3-3,000 Hz), involving high-voltage transmission lines and in-house wiring; and radiofrequencies (RFs; 30 kHz to 300 GHz), involving mobile phones, smart devices, base stations, WiFi, and 5G technologies. The biological effects of EMFs on humans include stimulation, thermal, and nonthermal, the latter of which is the least known. Among the various health issues related to EMFs, the most important issue is human carcinogenicity. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer's (IARC's) evaluation of carcinogenic risks to humans, ELFs and RFs were evaluated as possible human carcinogens (Group 2B). However, the World Health Organization's (WHO's) view of EMFs remains undetermined. This article reviews the current knowledge of EMF exposure on humans, specifically children. EMF exposure sources, biological effects, current WHO and IARC opinions on carcinogenicity, and effects of EMF exposures on children will be discussed. As well-controlled EMF experiments in children are nearly impossible, scientific knowledge should be interpreted objectively. Precautionary approaches are recommended for children until the potential health effects of EMF are confirmed.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.265-275
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• 2019

Technological advances of mankind, through the development of electrical and communication technologies, have resulted in the exposure to artificial electromagnetic fields (EMF). Technological growth is expected to continue; as such, the amount of EMF exposure will continue to increase steadily. In particular, the use-time of smart phones, that have become a necessity for modern people, is steadily increasing. Social concerns and interest in the impact on the cranial nervous system are increased when considering the area where the mobile phone is used. However, before discussing possible effects of radiofrequency-electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) on the human body, several factors must be investigated about the influence of EMFs at the level of research using in vitro or animal models. Scientific studies on the mechanism of biological effects are also required. It has been found that RF-EMF can induce changes in central nervous system nerve cells, including neuronal cell apoptosis, changes in the function of the nerve myelin and ion channels; furthermore, RF-EMF act as a stress source in living creatures. The possible biological effects of RF-EMF exposure have not yet been proven, and there are insufficient data on biological hazards to provide a clear answer to possible health risks. Therefore, it is necessary to study the biological response to RF-EMF in consideration of the comprehensive exposure with regard to the use of various devices by individuals. In this review, we summarize the possible biological effects of RF-EMF exposure.

• The Journal of Korean Institute of Electromagnetic Engineering and Science
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• v.28 no.12
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• pp.954-963
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• 2017

In this paper, we analyzed the electric/magnetic field distribution and SAR distribution in a human body due to the resonant-type wireless power transfer(WPT) system with an operating frequency of 6.78 MHz. To analyze the field distribution under the unperturbed condition, a prototype system was fabricated and the measured results were compared with the simulation results. For safety during measurement, the available power to the transmitter coil is limited to 1 W. To analyze the induced current density and SAR distribution, a simple human model consisting of three layers, skin, fat, and muscle, was used for the simulation. The electromagnetic wave exposure levels obtained through measurement and simulation were compared with the recommended levels by the ICNIRP.

• Journal of Magnetics
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.450-459
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• 2015

In this paper, the safety distances and maximum permissible power (MPP) of resonant wireless power transfer systems are defined and derived with regard to human exposure to electromagnetic field (EMF). The definition is based on the calculated induced current density and electric field in the standard human model located between the transmitting and receiving coil. In order to avoid the adverse health effects such as stimulation of nerve tissues, the induced current and electric field must not exceed the basic restriction values specified in EMF safety guidelines. The different combinations of diameters of the coils and the distance between the two coils are investigated and their effects are analyzed. Two versions of EMF safety guidelines (ICNIRP 1998 and ICNIRP 2010) are used as bases for safety distance calculation and the difference between the two guidelines are discussed.

• The Journal of Korean Institute of Electromagnetic Engineering and Science
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.687-697
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• 1998

In spite of increasing public concern about the human exposure to electric and magnetic fields(EMFs), there is little information about the EMF levels in the vicinity of power facilities and of home appliances. To provide such information, a nationwide survey for EMFs near overhead transmission lines has been conducted. The median values of the electric fields and magnetic fields of 153 transmission lines were 0.47 kV/m and 11.6 mG, respectively. The maximum values were 3.16 kV/m and 125 mG. These were low values in comparison with any EMF guidelines or standards of advanced contries. Measurements of the magnetic fields of typical home appliances and daily human exposure records have been also conducted. These magnetic field values were comparable to those of the transmission lines.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.113-113
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• 2003

A number of studies have demonstrated recently nonthermal interactions of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields with cellular systems, such as the cells of the immune system. Particular concern came from epidemiological findings, which correlated environmental exposure of human body to weak electromagnetic fields with an elevated risk for developing certain type of leukemias and cancers. Several home/environmental sources generating extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields, such as 50 - 60 Hz high-voltage transmission lines, video display terminals, electric blankets, clinical nuclear magnetic resonance imaging procedures, etc., may interact with the human body. In this study we examined the effects of static magnetic fields (SMF) on the phagocytosis of the murine peritoneal macrophages (C57BL/6). The cells were exposed in vitro for 24 h at 37$^{\circ}C$ to 400 G SMF. The phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophages was determined with a luminometer. Exposure to the SMF decreased phagocytic activity of murine peritoneal macrophages. In order to provide a more exact mechanism of the phenomenon, we analyzed peritoneal macrophages for alteration in their proteomes. The expression levels of these 5 proteins were increased in the SMF. In total 5 proteins which were differentially expressed in the SMF compared with control group were identified. The expression levels of these 5 proteins were increased in the SMF.

• Journal of Magnetics
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.174-180
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• 2014

In this paper, a new and simple method is proposed to quickly estimate the induced electric field in the human child exposed to a 100 kHz-10 MHz magnetic field, for the sake of electromagnetic field (EMF) safety assessment. The quasi-static finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method is used to calculate the induced electric fields in high resolution 3D human child models with various body size parameters, in order to derive the correction factor for the estimation equation. The calculations are repeated for various frequencies and incident angles of the magnetic field. Based on these calculation results, a new and simple estimation equation for the 99th percentile value of the body electric field is derived that depends on the body size parameters, and the incident magnetic field. The estimation errors were equal to or less than 5.1%, for all cases considered.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.749-755
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• 2001

High Electromagnetic Field (EMF) with an intensity of 1 mT (Tesla) inhibited the growth of both human normal lung and immune T cell down to $20-30\%$, compared to that of an unexposed case. The human T-cells, Jurkat, were more severely affected by EMF than the human lung cells, which showed a relatively slow cell growth and substantial releas of $Ca^+2$ (3.5 times higher than the human T-cells). However, the growth of hepatoma carcinoma, Hep3B, was enhanced by twice that of an unexposed case. The EMF intensity and exposure time did not affect the growth of the cancer cells very much, while it significantly affected the growth of normal cells. Accordingly, it is possible that EMFs may play a role in the initiation of cancer. The EMFs disturbed the signal transduction and membrane systems, such that a five times higher amount of PKC-${\alpha}$ was released from the cell membrane than in the control. Extended exposure to EMFs, for more than 48 hours, also led to 1 $90\%$ necrotic death pattern from apoptotic cell death. Finally, EMF at an intensity of 1mT with a 24-T exposure promoted the differentiation of HL-60 cells to monocytes/macrophages, possibly causing potential acute leukemia.

• The Journal of Korean Institute of Electromagnetic Engineering and Science
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.251-257
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• 2012

Human body communication means transmitting and receiving data through human body medium or through free space along with the human body skin. Electric field distribution around the human body between the transmitter and the receiver were calculated at five different frequencies with 5 MHz interval between 10 MHz and 30 MHz. Commercial electromagnetic simulation tool was used for the calculation of E-field distributions applying the Korean standard male model including 29 different kinds of human tissues. After calculating specific absorption rate(SAR) values on back of the hand, it was compared with International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection(ICNIRP) human protection guideline. While conductivities(${\sigma}$) and relative permittivities(${\varepsilon}_r$) of the human tissues for each frequency were input as the analyzing parameters, electric field intensities near both hands were integrated along the integral line between the nearby electrodes for the calculation of the transmitting and receiving voltages whose ratio was defined as channel loss. The calculated channel losses were about ($75{\pm}1$) dB and showed nearly flat response all through the evaluated frequencies.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Illuminating and Electrical Installation Engineers
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• v.27 no.11
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• pp.96-103
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• 2013

In this paper, resonant wireless power transfer systems are designed with double loop resonant coils for the resonant frequency of 150kHz. The transfer efficiency characteristics is analyzed according to the coil size, and the distance and misalignment between the coils. Then the change in efficiency is investigated when a human model is located between the resonant coils using the homogeneous human phantom of IEC-62311 standard. Also, in order to assess the safety of the wireless power transfer system, the induced current density inside the human model is calculated when it is exposed to the magnetic field of a plane wave and resonant coil. Then, the results are compared with the exposure limits in the EMF (electromagnetic field) safety guidelines.