ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: The aim was to evaluate correlations between biophysical effects of 27 MHz electromagnetic field exposure in humans (limb induced current (LIC)) and (1) parameters of affecting heterogeneous electric field and (2) body anthropometric properties, in order to improve the evaluation of electromagnetic environmental hazards. METHODS: Biophysical effects of exposure were studied in situ by measurements of LIC in 24 volunteers (at the ankle) standing near radio communication rod antenna and in silico in 4 numerical body phantoms exposed near a model of antenna. RESULTS: Strong, positive, statistically significant correlations were found in all exposure scenarios between LIC and body volume index (body height multiplied by mass) (r > 0.7; p < 0.001). The most informative exposure parameters, with respect to the evaluation of electromagnetic hazards by measurements (i.e., the ones strongest correlated with LIC), were found to be the value of electric field (unperturbed field, in the absence of body) in front of the chest (50 cm from body axis) or the maximum value in space occupied by human. Such parameters were not analysed in previous studies. CONCLUSIONS: Exposed person's body volume and electric field strength in front of the chest determine LIC in studied exposure scenarios, but their wider applicability needs further studies.
Subject(s)
Computer Simulation , Extremities , Models, Biological , Radio Waves/adverse effects , HumansABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Standard devices used by military personnel that may pose electromagnetic hazard include: radars, missile systems, radio navigation systems and radio transceivers. The aim of this study has been to evaluate the exposure of military personnel to electromagnetic fields. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Occupational exposure to electromagnetic fields was analyzed in the work environment of personnel of 204 devices divided into 5 groups (surface-to-air missile system radars, aircraft and helicopters, communication devices, surveillance and height finder radars, airport radars and radio navigation systems). Measurements were carried out at indicators, device terminals, radio panels, above vehicle seats, in vehicle hatches, by cabinets containing high power vacuum tubes and other transmitter components, by transmission lines, connectors, etc. RESULTS: Portable radios emit the electric field strength between 20-80 V/m close to a human head. The manpack radio operator's exposure is 60-120 V/m. Inside vehicles with high frequency/very high frequency (HF/VHF) band radios, the electric field strength is between 7-30 V/m and inside the radar cabin it ranges between 9-20 V/m. Most of the personnel on ships are not exposed to the electromagnetic field from their own radar systems but rather by accidental exposure from the radar systems of other ships. Operators of surface-to-air missile systems are exposed to the electric field strength between 7-15 V/m and the personnel of non-directional radio beacons - 100-150 V/m. CONCLUSIONS: In 57% of military devices Polish soldiers work in the occupational protection zones. In 35% of cases, soldiers work in intermediate and hazardous zones and in 22% - only in the intermediate zone. In 43% of devices, military personnel are not exposed to electromagnetic field. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2017;30(4):565-577.
Subject(s)
Electromagnetic Fields , Military Personnel , Occupational Exposure/analysis , Aircraft , Automobiles , Humans , Poland/epidemiology , Radar , Radio , ShipsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is the evaluation of the influence of repeated (5 times for 15 min) exposure to electromagnetic field (EMF) of 1800 MHz frequency on tissue lipid peroxidation (LPO) both in normal and inflammatory state, combined with analgesic treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) as the end-product of the lipid peroxidation (LPO) was estimated in blood, liver, kidneys, and brain of Wistar rats, both healthy and those with complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced persistent paw inflammation. RESULTS: The slightly elevated levels of the MDA in blood, kidney, and brain were observed among healthy rats in electromagnetic field (EMF)-exposed groups, treated with tramadol (TRAM/EMF and exposed to the EMF). The malondialdehyde remained at the same level in the liver in all investigated groups: the control group (CON), the exposed group (EMF), treated with tramadol (TRAM) as well as exposed to and treated with tramadol (TRAM/EMF). In the group of animals treated with the complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) we also observed slightly increased values of the MDA in the case of the control group (CON) and the exposed groups (EMF and TRAM/EMF). The MDA values concerning kidneys remained at the same levels in the control, exposed, and not-exposed group treated with tramadol. Results for healthy rats and animals with inflammation did not differ significantly. CONCLUSIONS: The electromagnetic field exposure (EMF), applied in the repeated manner together with opioid drug tramadol (TRAM), slightly enhanced lipid peroxidation level in brain, blood, and kidneys.
Subject(s)
Blood/metabolism , Brain/metabolism , Electromagnetic Fields/adverse effects , Environmental Exposure/adverse effects , Kidney/metabolism , Liver/metabolism , Oxidative Stress/radiation effects , Animals , Blood/radiation effects , Brain/radiation effects , Disease Models, Animal , Kidney/radiation effects , Lipid Peroxidation/radiation effects , Liver/radiation effects , Male , Rats , Rats, WistarABSTRACT
An issue of experimental studies is reviewed in view of their possibilities and limitations in assessing bioeffects and health risk of electromagnetic fields (EMFs). Investigations of bioeffets and their consequences are being performed at different levels of biological organization. Experimental studies involving cellular structures and animals lead mostly to the assessment of mechanisms of EMFs interaction and to the observation of possible bioeffects. To assess health risk of exposure to EMFs it is necessary to perform strudies involving human subjects (volunteers) or epidemiological studies targeted at specific human populations. The biological material applied in experiments appears to be a specific measure of the effect exerted by EMFs on the body, but as every measure, it has its own advantages and disadvantages and the obtained results may be burden with some errors, which should be analyzed during the interpretation of experimental study results.
Subject(s)
Clinical Trials as Topic , Electromagnetic Fields , Occupational Exposure/analysis , Radiation , Research Design/standards , Animals , Control Groups , Humans , Poland , Research Subjects , Risk Assessment , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
Electromagnetic field meters used for occupational and general public health protection are commonly calibrated in the continuous wave conditions, but a large number of medical devices, mobile base station antennas and radars generate pulse modulated fields. The results of an analysis of additional errors of pulse fields measurements by diode-type meters (EMR 200/300, PMM and MEH) are presented in this paper.
