Safety advice for best EMF detector and body shielding for UHF RFID reader

Question

I've got a UHF RFID detector (860 to 960 MHz). I'm just getting into configuring the power output but I think I've been testing it at about 20dBM, I might want up to 30dBM. I'm concerned about my health when having it on beside me for extended periods as I test with it (I'm doing development on an embedded device connected to the reader).

I'd like advice on two things:

1. What to look for in an EMF detector that will help me gauge the strength of the radiation (I'd test it indoors/outdoors at various distances and angles). Links to products or terms to shop for would be awesome. I can buy from anywhere but I'm in Canada, FYI. If it's simple to build one with an Arduinio for example let me know and I can whip one up myself if there's a big cost advantage.

2. What to look for in body shielding. The two things that seem reasonably priced and the most practical are these coveralls and this tent. The tent seems like it would be ideal though as I could just put my desk in there and come and go as I need to, keeping the equipment outside.

Thank you!

Answer 1

From the Wikipedia dBm article, there is a table with some examples of devices with different power levels:

33 dBm:

• Maximum output from a UMTS/3G mobile phone (Power class 1 mobiles)
• Maximum output from a GSM850/900 mobile phone

30 dBm:

• Typical RF leakage from a microwave oven
• DCS or GSM 1,800/1,900 MHz mobile phone. [...]

27 dBm:

• Typical cellular phone transmission power

If cell phones are safe at these power levels when kept in pockets, I would not be worried about having your 20-30 dBm transmitter sitting on a desk nearby.