Chapter 25 - Radiation Hazards

Abstract

This chapter discusses the radiation hazards that are associated with many modern broadcasting, radio communication, and radar transmitters. The large effective radiated powers used in many radio stations have raised the problem of personal safety for staff working on or near these installations. Radiation hazards might exist at any radio frequency that is capable of being absorbed by the body. An examination of the electromagnetic spectrum indicates that the main classifications of radiation are radio frequency (RF) waves, infra-red or heat waves, the visible spectrum, and ionizing radiation, including ultra-violet and X-rays. Radio equipment that produces this type of radiation includes low frequency radio telegraphy, broadcasting, radio communication, television, and radar systems. Industrial equipment such as that used for diathermy, induction heating, microwave ovens, and dielectric heating, also use this portion of the spectrum. The degree of injury from electromagnetic radiation to living tissue depends on the absorbed energy within that tissue that varies with the power density, duration of exposure, type of modulation, and frequency of the source. The potential hazards that might arise from exposure to RF radiation fields are believed to be because of, either directly or indirectly, increases in body temperature resulting from the absorption of the electromagnetic energy.