Nonionizing Radiation

Abstract

AbstractThe development and proliferation of electronic devices that either intentionally or inadvertently emit nonionizing radiation have brought about immense interest in the subject. The promise of an increase in the number and use of such devices has concerned many persons who believe that the radiation hazards have not been sufficiently studied. Those who express concern about an inadequate understanding of the biological effects of nonionizing radiations point out that many electronic devices have already found their way into common use (e.g., microwave ovens, radar for pleasure boats, scanning lasers in supermarket checkout counters, near‐ultraviolet radiation in fluorescent lighting fixtures, and a variety of high‐intensity light sources). Other concerns include the many infrared, ultraviolet, microwave, and laser devices that might produce excessive occupational exposures. Because of the heightened public interest in electromagnetic radiation hazards, Congress enacted the Radiation Control for Health and Safety Act. The declared purpose of the act is to establish a national electronic product radiation control program, including the development and administration of performance standards to control the emission of electronic product radiation. The act covers both ionizing and nonionizing electromagnetic radiations emitted from any electronic product. This includes X‐rays and gamma rays and particulate, ultraviolet, visible, infrared, millimeter wave, microwave, radio‐frequency, and, interestingly enough, sonic, infrasonic, and ultrasonic radiation. Since the inception of the act, the federal government has conducted or funded research into the biological effects of radiation, with special emphasis on low‐level effects. Standards have been developed and promulgated for television set receivers, medical X‐rays (amendments to existing standard), cathode ray tubes, microwave ovens, and lasers. Calibration, measurement, and product testing laboratories have been established to ensure proper evaluation of accessible radiation from electronic products, and a compliance program has been developed to obtain manufacturers' adherence to established standards. During the course of standards development efforts, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been required to consult with the Technical Electronic Product Radiation Safety Standards Committee (TEPRSSC), an advisory body established under the Act. Unlike some federal advisory committees, TEPRSSC has the authority to develop and recommend its own standards directly to the Secretary of Health and Human Services.Other federal agencies that are actively concerned with nonionizing radiation hazards include the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS).