Health hazard evaluation report: HETA-87-169-1830, Mountain Bell, Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Abstract

In response to a request from the Communication Workers of America, an evaluation was made of possible leakage of radiofrequency/microwave (RF/MW) radiation from long-distance telephone relay equipment at Mountain Bell, in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Measurements were taken of RF/MW radiation around transmitters, associated waveguide runs, transmitting and receiving dishes, and at the relay station. Measurements were also made at the central transmitting station in Idaho Falls where nine transmitter/receivers and one paging system were evaluated. All produced less than the detection limits of 10 microwatts per square centimeter for power density and 500 volts squared per square meter for electric-field measurements. As part of the medical evaluation, eight current employees and one former employee were interviewed. None reported any medical conditions which the authors believed were work-related. All current workers denied specific symptoms. The retired worker did report neurologic symptoms, however, medical evaluation of his symptoms did not identify a cause for his condition. The authors conclude that there is currently no danger from microwave radiation at these sites, and since there has been almost no modernization of the equipment in some years, there is little chance that such exposures have occurred.