Exposure of workers to electromagnetic fields. A review of open questions on exposure assessment techniques.
European Directive 2004/40/EC on occupational exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF), based on the guidelines of the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection, was to be implemented in the Member States of the European Union by 2008. Because of some unexpected problems the deadline was postponed until 2012. This paper reviews some of the problems identified and presents some suggestions for possible solutions based on the authors' experience in assessing occupational exposure to EMF. Among the topics discussed are movement in static magnetic fields, ways to time average extreme low frequency signals, the difference between emission and exposure standards, and ways of dealing with those issues.
Hansson Mild
Kjell
K
Department of Radiation Sciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden. kjell.hansson.mild@radfys.umu.se
Alanko
Tommi
T
Decat
Gilbert
G
Falsaperla
Rosaria
R
Gryz
Krzysztof
K
Hietanen
Maila
M
Karpowicz
Jolanta
J
Rossi
Paolo
P
Sandström
Monica
M
D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005583:Fourier Analysis; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D011840:Radiation, Nonionizing; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013997:Time Factors