WCDMA 휴대전화 전자파가 인공심장 박동기 및이식형 제세동기에 미치는 영향

Abstract

Reports show that global system for mobile communication (GSM) mobile phones, or two-generation (2G) mobile phones, could affect functions of pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs). In this study, we evaluated the effects of radio frequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs) emitted by wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) mobile phones, which were third-generation (3G) mobile phones, on pacemakers and ICDs. Five pacemakers and three ICDs were subjected to in-vitro test using a ECG simulator. We used a WCDMA module (average power : 0.25 W, frequency band : 1950 MHz) instead of a real WCDMA mobile phone. To assess the effects of the WCDMA module on pacemakers and ICDs, each implantable device was placed in close proximity (within 3 mm) to the WCDMA module for 5 min. As a result, no effects were observed on the five pacemakers and three ICDs for the RF-EMFs emitted by the WCDMA module. Because WCDMA mobile phones have the higher frequency band (1800-2200 MHz) and lower power output (0.01-0.25 W) than GSM moboile phone, the RF-EMFs emitted by WCDMA mobile phones do not affect patients with pacemaker or ICD.