Personal measurements of radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure among workers of high, medium and low exposed occupations in Spain

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Novel methods for occupational exposure assessment of radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields are needed to address the lack of quantitative data and reduce limitations of current methods used for epidemiological research. In the framework of an international study, we conducted an innovative measurement campaign of personal occupational RF exposure in multiple occupations in Spain in order to enhance a preliminary RF Job Exposure Matrix (RF-JEM). METHODS: Identification and prioritization of the occupations to be measured were based on exposure levels in the preliminary RF-JEM and expert judgment. Selection of participants was based on reported job titles and sources of RF exposure collected in a screening questionnaire, which was disseminated to potential participants using both broad and targeted approaches. Personal full-shift measurements were conducted following a standardized protocol. Additional data about general and occupational-specific sources of RF exposure during the measured work-shift were captured at the end of each observation day through a “worker diary”. RESULTS:Personal measurements of RF exposure were conducted and workers oversampled in occupations previously categorized as medium (n = 105) and highly-exposed (n = 26). A preliminary overview of the measurement results obtained in the campaign for various jobs as well as an initial comparison with the preliminary RF-JEM will be presented. CONCLUSIONS:We conducted the first stage of an innovative international campaign of personal occupational RF exposure measurements in Spain, gathering exposure data for workers from occupations known to be exposed to high, medium and low levels of exposure to RF fields. Further work to conduct personal measurements in the Netherlands and France will also be performed. KEYWORDS: Exposure assessment, Occupational epidemiology, Occupational exposures