Methodology
The measurement protocol and the equipment used
The Measurement Protocol
The measurements are carried out according to a standardised protocol developed by Canadian emeritus professor Magda Havas. She started the global project to map radiation in urban areas, Can You Brag about Your City?
The protocol describes precisely how and where measurements must be taken for consistent, comparable results. A requirement is the use of a Safe and Sound Pro II radiation meter.
Methodology & Reliability
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Calibrated equipment Safe and Sound Pro II radiation meters
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Standardized protocol Fixed methodology for 1-point and 4-point measurements
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Trained volunteers Precise reproducible execution
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Consistent results Measurements are well comparable with each other
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Transparent data Fully independent citizen research
The Radiation Meter
All measurements use the Safe and Sound Pro II meter, a calibrated broadband RF meter that measures in the range of 200 MHz to 8 GHz. It displays values in microwatt per square metre (μW/m²). The display shows the average radiation (AVG) and the maximum peak values (MAX). Both are recorded when taking a measurement.
All-round Measurement
Before the measurement, the personal mobile phone and everything that may emit radiation is switched off. The measurement staff stands at a corner of an intersection. They then hold the meter with an outstretched arm and make elliptical movements. The AVG is then read. This is repeated in all four cardinal directions. After the all-round measurement, the highest AVG and the final MAX from the meter are recorded.
The Measurement Location
All locations in the public outdoor space are permitted. Indoor measurements are not permitted. At intersections, squares, roundabouts on main roads, a 4-point measurement is taken. In residential areas or at specific locations such as outside a hospital entrance, in a park, a 1-point measurement is taken.
"Choose the location at your own discretion. The measurement may be in a forest, but also in sight of a phone mast. You may take a location measurement on the pavement outside your front door, or on your children's school playground. You can also measure at one location at different times and map the difference in radiation throughout an entire day. Make sure you stand in a safe place and do not obstruct traffic."
1-point measurement (specific locations)
At a specific location, a measurement is taken in the four cardinal directions. This yields two measured values: the highest AVG of the four cardinal directions and the maximum peak value (MAX) at the end. A 1-point measurement is efficient for quickly mapping a location and area.
4-point measurement (intersections)
At an intersection, measurements are taken at four corner points. At each corner, measurements are taken in the four cardinal directions. This gives a representative and fair picture of the radiation at that location. From the four corner measurements, 2 x 4 measured values result, each with its own average (AVG) and maximum peak value (MAX).
Radiation meters mutually comparable
Both the methodology and the radiation meter were chosen to enable reliable and comparable measurements. A test with multiple units of the Safe and Sound Pro II showed that the measurement results are in good agreement with each other. This makes it clear that the measurements are well comparable with each other.
Measurements well comparable with RDI
The RDI (National Service for Digital Infrastructure) is responsible for monitoring radiation levels in the Netherlands. They conduct approximately 200 measurements per year. EMF Map NL has compared six RDI measurements with its own measurements at the same locations. Most measurement results were found to be in good agreement.