In the first test set, the power density in the room was measured prior to the activation of the base station to obtain background levels at the test site. The base station was purchased in the US and placed on a wooden office desk in a representative 3 bedroom residential building in California. MethodsĪ GIGASET cordless phone model was selected as a representative DFHSS 2.4 GHz phone for typical home and office usage. the GIGASET (same name as a DECT cordless phone series by the same manufacturer in Germany) are available in USA. In the US, the cordless phone manufacturers established the 2.4 GHz digital pulsed technology in the range of 2.4 – 2.5 GHz. Identical permanently emitting portable phones with the special option of multiple handsets are available in the US and therefore the exposure issues are relevant for US population. The DECT technology is a European standard for cordless phones in the range of microwave radiation (1.8 to 1.9 Gigahertz, GHz). This creates constant exposure to high levels of the most critical type of HF radiation known throughout the entire home or office. The problem with the cordless DECT phones is, that the base station permanently emits full power pulsed microwave radiation, whether the phone is used or not. brain cancer, lymphoma, and changes in the brain blood barrier. The digital pulsed pattern of GSM and DECT radiation has come under suspicion to cause e.g.
The biological concern arose from studies on high frequency (HF) sources such as cellular phones and cellular phone base stations with GSM technology. Now multiple handsets cordless phones are also available in the USA – extolled as 2.4 GHz digital technology with multiple handsets following the DFHSS (Digital Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum) standard which is almost identical to DECT. IntroductionĭECT cordless phones usage has been a major health and environmental concern in Europe and especially in Germany for years. The radiation peak values in the same room are higher than those encountered in proximity to cellular base stations located near residential buildings. The maximum power density was found to be over 500,000 µW/m 2 at a normally encountered distance (about 1 – 2 feet) if the base station is placed on an office desk or bedside table. The power density values presented for each room inside the home can be compared to average DECT cordless phone radiation exposures found in German homes. The results showed that the radiation patterns and levels emitted by the small cordless phone base station are almost identical to the DECT technology – also digitally pulsed and permanent microwave radiation. A digital cordless phone was placed in a representative private home in California and HF measurements were conducted at different locations inside, using frequency selective spectrum analysis to obtain the cordless phone power densities. Digital cordless phones are also available in the USA – marketed as 2.4 GHz digital technology. The biological concern arose from studies on HF (high frequency) sources such as GSM cellular phones and towers.
The use of DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunication) cordless phones has been a major health and environmental concern in Europe and especially in Germany for years. The paper was presented at the EMF Workshop in Rhodes, Greece in 2002. A real-life study performed by us with a DECT cordless phone provides us with some answers. How far does the RF radiation from your DECT cordless phone reach inside your home and how strong is it.