# Instruments and Measurement Techniques to Assess Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields

**Authors:** Phoka C. Rathebe, Mota Kholopo

PMC · DOI: 10.3390/s25154866 · Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025-08-07

## TL;DR

This paper introduces a framework to help choose the best tools for measuring extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields in different situations.

## Contribution

A novel weighted scoring matrix and logic-based flowchart for selecting ELF-EMF measurement instruments.

## Key findings

- The framework evaluates instruments based on six criteria including sensitivity and cost.
- It was successfully applied in an occupational case study to provide scenario-specific recommendations.
- The method offers a transparent and adaptable approach for stakeholders.

## Abstract

This study presents a comprehensive evaluation and selection framework for extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) measurement instruments. Recognizing the diversity of application environments and technical constraints, the framework addresses the challenges of selecting appropriate tools for specific scenarios. It integrates a structured, quantitative approach through a weighted scoring matrix that evaluates instrumentation across six criteria: monitoring duration, sensitivity, environmental adaptability, biological/regulatory relevance, usability, and cost. Complementing this is a logic-based flowchart that visually guides decision-making based on user-defined operational needs. The framework is applied to a realistic occupational case study, demonstrating its effectiveness in producing evidence-based, scenario-sensitive instrument recommendations. This method provides stakeholders with a transparent and adaptable tool for ELF-EMF device selection.

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** injury to (MESH:D014947), neurodegenerative disorders (MESH:D019636), osteosarcoma (MESH:D012516), hematological abnormalities (MESH:D006402), leukemia (MESH:D007938), mitochondrial dysfunction (MESH:D028361), endocrine disruption (MESH:D004700), EMF (MESH:D007922), ELF (MESH:C565121)
- **Chemicals:** ELF (-), melatonin (MESH:D008550), helium (MESH:D006371), cortisol (MESH:D006854), nitrogen (MESH:D009584), EMDEX (MESH:C038962), calcium (MESH:D002118)
- **Species:** Rattus norvegicus (brown rat, species) [taxon 10116], Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

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## Figures

2 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12349168/full.md

## References

100 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12349168/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12349168