RIS-Assisted Downlink mmWave Cellular Networks: Exacerbate or Mitigate EMF Exposure?

Deploying reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs) offers the potential to improve coverage performance in mil-limeter wave (mmWave) communications. However, electric and magnetic field (EMF) exposure related to base station (BS) trans-mission and RIS reflection is still unclear. This paper provides an analytical framework to evaluate the EMF exposure in RIS-assisted mmWave cellular networks. The proposed framework provides insights to establish technical guidelines for ensuring EMF exposure within a safe limit. For example, by considering the compliance distance (CD) set for BSs, we explore the necessity of designing a similar CD for RISs.