Abstract
The paper presents research on the electromagnetic hazards related to the flow of electric currents throughout the bodies of employees using portable radios. The values often exceed established limits, which may lead to potential dysfunctions of the body and affect the safety of performed professional duties. The measurements of the electric field (E-field) distribution of a typical commercial portable radio, the limb contact current calculations, and the computer simulations determining a specific absorption rate (SAR) were supplemented with pilot neurophysiological tests. The assessment indicated a large spatial variability of the E-field strength around the devices. The head of the operator and the hand holding the radio were often in the electromagnetic field (EMF), which exceeded the established limits. The calculated SAR values ranged within the permitted limits. The conducted neurophysiological tests showed no effects of EMF exposure in comparison to the control group. The assessment of exposure to the EMF using a portable radio is initially performed by analyzing external measures: both computer simulations and measurements of workers’ limb currents. The SAR values exclude thermal effects; however, they do not eliminate potential neuromuscular effects. More neurophysiological tests are needed to obtain a broader picture of possible health effects.
Highlights
The electromagnetic field (EMF) is a common work environment factor
Our paper describes for the first time the attempt to comprehensively assess the effects of exposure radiotelephone users to EMF, taking into account external (E-field distribution near the radiotelephones) and internal measures, both measured and calculated (SAR parameter), and an assessment of potential health effects through the use neurophysiological tests
The second achievement of our studies was the evaluation of all parameters under realistic conditions of EMF exposure during the use of radiophone, as well as the evaluation of the neuromuscular system function in the control group and the EMF-exposed group when providing similar anthropometric parameters
Summary
The electromagnetic field (EMF) is a common work environment factor. EMF can be produced intentionally or as a phenomenon accompanying the operation of any electrical device. Due to the large number of EMF sources in the work environment, it is necessary to have access to algorithms that allow for a quick and comprehensive assessment of employee exposure to the EMF and that enable one to take appropriate preventive measures. One of the mechanisms of the EMF influence on electrically conductive objects, such as the human body, is the induction of an electric field and electric current flow in exposed objects [4]. The flow of an electric current in the human body exposed to EMF can have both a direct effect (a so-called induced current) and an indirect EMF effect (a so-called contact current). The contact current is generated as Energies 2020, 13, 6276; doi:10.3390/en13236276 www.mdpi.com/journal/energies
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