Estimation of core temperature elevation in humans and animals for whole-body averaged SAR

Abstract

Biological effects due to whole-body radio-frequency exposure may be induced by core temperature elevation. According to the international safety guidelines/standards for human protection, the whole-body averaged specific absorption rate (WBA-SAR) is used as a metric. In order to understand the relationship between WBA-SAR and core temperature elevation, a theoretical solution or a closed formula for estimating core temperature elevation is essential. In the present study, we derived a formula for simply estimating core temperature elevation in humans and animals due to whole-body radio-frequency exposure. The core temperature elevation estimated with the formula is found to be in reasonable agreement with the computational results of finite-difference time- domain computation incorporated in anatomically-based models Based on the formula, the WBA-SAR is found to be a good metric for estimating core temperature elevation. The main factors influencing the core temperature elevation are the perspiration rate and the body surface area-to-weight ratio.