title: Intensity of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields produced in operating rooms during surgery at the standing position of anesthesiologists.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Numerous electronic devices have been introduced into operating rooms. Although little is known about the relationship between exposure to electromagnetic fields and health hazards, several studies have demonstrated causal relationships between electromagnetic fields exposure and various symptoms, cancers, and other diseases.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board. The intensity of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields was measured during surgery with the extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field strength measurement system at the standing position of anesthesiologists in 18 operating rooms and analyzed with EMDEX analysis and graphical program (EMCALC 95; ENERTECH, Campbell, CA).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average measurement duration per operating room per day was 7.41 +/- 0.70 h (mean +/- SD). The average sample number of measurements was 888.11 +/- 82.75 per operating room. The average magnetic field was 5.83 +/- 5.23 milliGuass (mG) (range, 0.10-33.80 mG), with 70% of these levels 2 mG or greater.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The authors' results indicate that anesthesiologists in operating rooms are exposed to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field levels that exceed magnetic field intensity of 2 mG recommended by the Swedish Board for Technical Accreditation for production by computer monitors and detected 30 cm from them. It currently is not clear if this exposure has health effects on anesthesiologists and other operating room personnel.
authors: Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Anesthesia and Pain Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Jang Ho
authors: JH
authors: Roh
authors: Deok Won
authors: DW
authors: Kim
authors: Sung Jin
authors: SJ
authors: Lee
authors: Ji Young
authors: JY
authors: Kim
authors: Sung Won
authors: SW
authors: Na
authors: Seung Ho
authors: SH
authors: Choi
authors: Ki Jun
authors: KJ
authors: Kim
mesh_terms: D000776:Anesthesiology / Q000295:instrumentation; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D009873:Operating Rooms; D010564:Personnel, Hospital; D011187:Posture; D011829:Radiation Dosage