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A Source-based Measurement Database for Occupational Exposure Assessment of Electromagnetic Fields in the INTEROCC Study: A Literature Review Approach.

ABSTRACT: To date, occupational exposure assessment of electromagnetic fields (EMF) has relied on occupation-based measurements and exposure estimates. However, misclassification due to between-worker variability remains an unsolved challenge. A source-based approach, supported by detailed subject data on determinants of exposure, may allow for a more individualized exposure assessment. Detailed information on the use of occupational sources of exposure to EMF was collected as part of the INTERPHONE-INTEROCC study. To support a source-based exposure assessment effort within this study, this work aimed to construct a measurement database for the occupational sources of EMF exposure identified, assembling available measurements from the scientific literature.First, a comprehensive literature search was performed for published and unpublished documents containing exposure measurements for the EMF sources identified, a priori as well as from answers of study subjects. Then, the measurements identified were assessed for quality and relevance to the study objectives. Finally, the measurements selected and complementary information were compiled into an Occupational Exposure Measurement Database (OEMD).Currently, the OEMD contains 1624 sets of measurements (>3000 entries) for 285 sources of EMF exposure, organized by frequency band (0 Hz to 300 GHz) and dosimetry type. Ninety-five documents were selected from the literature (almost 35% of them are unpublished technical reports), containing measurements which were considered informative and valid for our purpose. Measurement data and complementary information collected from these documents came from 16 different countries and cover the time period between 1974 and 2013.We have constructed a database with measurements and complementary information for the most common sources of exposure to EMF in the workplace, based on the responses to the INTERPHONE-INTEROCC study questionnaire. This database covers the entire EMF frequency range and represents the most comprehensive resource of information on occupational EMF exposure. It is available at www.crealradiation.com/index.php/en/databases.

SUBMITTER: Vila J

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4738235 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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A Source-based Measurement Database for Occupational Exposure Assessment of Electromagnetic Fields in the INTEROCC Study: A Literature Review Approach.

Vila Javier J Bowman Joseph D JD Richardson Lesley L Kincl Laurel L Conover Dave L DL McLean Dave D Mann Simon S Vecchia Paolo P van Tongeren Martie M Cardis Elisabeth E

The Annals of occupational hygiene 20151021 2

<h4>Introduction</h4>To date, occupational exposure assessment of electromagnetic fields (EMF) has relied on occupation-based measurements and exposure estimates. However, misclassification due to between-worker variability remains an unsolved challenge. A source-based approach, supported by detailed subject data on determinants of exposure, may allow for a more individualized exposure assessment. Detailed information on the use of occupational sources of exposure to EMF was collected as part of ...[more]

PMID: 26493616

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Project description:PurposeThis study aims to perform a classification and rigorous numerical evaluation of the risks of occupational exposure in the health environment related to the administration of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) treatment. The study investigates the numerically estimated induced electric field that occurs in the human tissues of an operator caused by exposure to the variable magnetic field produced by TMS during treatments. This could be a useful starting point for future risk assessment studies and safety indications in this context.MethodsWe performed a review of the actual positions assumed by clinicians during TMS treatments. Three different TMS coils (two circular and one figure-of-eight) were modeled and characterized numerically. Different orientations and positions of each coil with respect to the body of the operator were investigated to evaluate the induced electric (-E) field in the body tissues. The collected data were processed to allow comparison with the safety standards for occupational exposure, as suggested by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) 2010 guidelines.ResultsUnder the investigated conditions, exposure to TMS shows some criticalities for the operator performing the treatment. Depending on the model of the TMS coil and its relative position with respect to the operator's body, the numerically estimated E-field could exceed the limits suggested by the ICNIRP 2010 guidelines. We established that the worst-case scenario for the three coils occurs when they are placed in correspondence of the abdomen, with the handle oriented parallel to the body (II orientation). Working at a maximum TMS stimulator output (MSO), the induced E-field is up to 7.32 V/m (circular coil) and up to 1.34 V/m (figure-of-eight coil). The induced E-field can be modulated by the TMS percentage of MSO (%MSO) and by the distance between the source and the operator. At %MSO equal to or below 80%, the figure-of-eight coil was compliant with the ICNIRP limit (1.13 V/m). Conversely, the circular coil causes an induced E-field above the limits, even when powered at a %MSO of 30%. Thus, in the investigated worst-case conditions, an operator working with a circular coil should keep a distance from its edge to be compliant with the guidelines limit, which depends on the selected %MSO: 38 cm at 100%, 32 cm at 80%, 26.8 cm at 50%, and 19.8 cm at 30%. Furthermore, attention should be paid to the induced E-field reached in the operator's hand as the operator typically holds the coil by hand. In fact in the hand, we estimated an induced E-field up to 10 times higher than the limits.ConclusionsOur numerical results indicate that coil positions, orientations, and distances with respect to the operator's body can determine the levels of induced E-field that exceed the ICNIRP limits. The induced E-field is also modulated by the choice of %MSO, which is related to the TMS application. Even under the best exposure conditions, attention should be paid to the exposure of the hand. These findings highlight the need for future risk assessment studies to provide more safety information for the correct and safe use of TMS devices.

Project description:BackgroundThe aim of this study was to examine the feasibility of performing a cohort study on health risks from occupational exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) in Germany.MethodsA set of criteria was developed to evaluate the feasibility of such a cohort study. The criteria aimed at conditions of exposure and exposure assessment (level, duration, preferably on an individual basis), the possibility to assemble a cohort and the feasibility of ascertaining various disease endpoints.ResultsTwenty occupational settings with workers potentially exposed to RF-EMF and, in addition, a cohort of amateur radio operators were considered. Based on expert ratings, literature reviews and our set of predefined criteria, three of the cohorts were identified as promising for further evaluation: the personnel (technicians) of medium/short wave broadcasting stations, amateur radio operators, and workers on dielectric heat sealers. After further analyses, the cohort of workers on dielectric heat sealers seems not to be feasible due to the small number of exposed workers available and to the difficulty of assessing exposure (exposure depends heavily on the respective working process and mixture of exposures, e.g. plastic vapours), although exposure was highest in this occupational setting. The advantage of the cohort of amateur radio operators was the large number of persons it includes, while the advantage of the cohort of personnel working at broadcasting stations was the quality of retrospective exposure assessment. However, in the cohort of amateur radio operators the exposure assessment was limited, and the cohort of technicians was hampered by the small number of persons working in this profession.ConclusionThe majority of occupational groups exposed to RF-EMF are not practicable for setting up an occupational cohort study due to the small numbers of exposed subjects or due to exposure levels being only marginally higher than those of the general public.

Project description:IntroductionIdiopathic Environmental Intolerance (IEI) attributed to electromagnetic fields (EMF) refers to self-reported sensitivity mainly characterised by the attribution of non-specific physical symptoms to low-level EMF exposure emitted from sources such as mobile phones. Scientific studies have not provided evidence for the existence of IEI-EMF, but these studies did not resemble the real-life situation or suffered from poor exposure characterisation and biased recall of health symptoms. To improve existing methods for the study of IEI-EMF, an Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) study is designed.Methods and analysisThe study is an EMA study in which respondents carry personal exposure metres (exposimeters) that measure radiofrequency (RF) EMF, with frequent assessment of health symptoms and perceived EMF exposure through electronic diary registration during five consecutive days. Participants will be a selection from an epidemiological study who report to be sensitive to RF EMF. The exposimeters measure electric field strength in 12 frequency bands. Diary questions include the occurrence and severity of 10 non-specific physical symptoms, mood states and perceived exposure to (sources of) EMF. The relationship of actual and perceived EMF exposure and mood with non-specific physical symptoms will be analysed using multilevel regression analysis with time-shift models.DiscussionThe study has several advantages over previous studies, including assessment of personal EMF exposure and non-specific physical symptoms by an ecological method with a minimised chance of recall bias. The within-person design reduces confounding by time-stable factors (eg, personal characteristics). In the conduct of the study and the analysis and interpretation of its outcomes, some methodological issues including a high participant burden, reactivity, compliance to the study protocol and the potential of chance findings due to multiple statistical testing will be accounted for and limited as much as possible.

Dataset Information

A Source-based Measurement Database for Occupational Exposure Assessment of Electromagnetic Fields in the INTEROCC Study: A Literature Review Approach.

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A Source-based Measurement Database for Occupational Exposure Assessment of Electromagnetic Fields in the INTEROCC Study: A Literature Review Approach.

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