title: Assessment of daily exposure of endodontic personnel to extremely low frequency magnetic fields.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To measure daily exposure levels to extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF MFs) in endodontic clinics.
  
  
  METHODS
  In total, 10 subjects (five endodontic trainees, five hygienists) participated. Each volunteer wore a 60-Hz MF measurement device on the left upper arm during working hours. Measurements were taken continuously throughout the working day except at lunch time. Separate measurements were taken for specific items of equipment at several distances.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average MF exposure for the 10 personnel was 0.03±0.04micro-Tesla (μT) (range, 0.01-6.4μT). The average MF exposure of endodontic personnel was lower than that of other hospital personnel according to the literature. Furthermore, all monitored exposure levels were well below the maximum acute exposure level, 500μT, recommended by the International Committee on Non-ionizing Radiation Protection for the protection of workers against ELF MFs. However, relatively high levels of exposure occurred in an operating room and X-ray room, presumably as a result of the use of surgical equipment such as microscopes and monitors, various motors and power cables of X-ray machines with large current flows.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The total average MF exposure level of 0.03μT was lower than the typical background level at home. Although high levels of exposure were measured in an operating room and X-ray room, the MF exposure level to dental personnel was minimal during routine endodontic clinical work.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Engineering, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Nam
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D003740:Dental Clinics; D003756:Dental Hygienists; D003770:Dental Offices; D003796:Dental Service, Hospital; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D004708:Endodontics / Q000193:education; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D060526:Magnetic Fields; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D009873:Operating Rooms; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011834:Radiation Monitoring / Q000295:instrumentation; D011840:Radiation, Nonionizing; D011872:Radiology Department, Hospital; D056910:Republic of Korea; D000078329:Workforce