Occupational exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields

Abstract

High exposures to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMF) are possible in workplaces involving sources used for broadcasting, telecommunication, security and identification, remote sensing and the heating and drying of goods. A systematic literature review of occupational RF EMF exposure measurements could help to clarify where more attention to occupational safety may be needed. This review identifies specific sources of occupational RF EMF exposure and compares the published maximum exposures to occupational exposure limits. A systematic search for peer-reviewed publications was conducted via PubMed and Scopus. Relevant grey literature was collected via web searches. For each publication, the highest measured electric field strength, magnetic flux density or power density was extracted. Maximum exposures exceeding the limits were reported for dielectric heating, scanners for security and radiofrequency identification, plasma devices and broadcasting and telecommunication transmitters. Occupational exposure exceeding the limits was rare for microwave heating and radar applications. Some publications concerned cases studies of occupational accidents followed by a medical investigation of thermal health effects. These were found for broadcasting antennas, radar installations and a microwave oven and often involved maintenance personnel. New sources of occupational exposure such as those in fifth generation telecommunication systems or energy transition will require further assessment.

Keywords: Electromagnetic fields; Exposure; Occupational; Radiofrequency; Regulation.

Fig. 1.

Maximum electric field strength (left y-axis) and magnetic flux density (right y-axis) at the worker’s position per publication, per main frequency component for dielectric heating of plastic. Legend: ― = electric field action levels; --- = magnetic field action levels; ● = electric field strength; ○ = magnetic flux density. Symbols in grey represent data published before 2012 and symbols in black data published in or after 2012. Literature references used:^–36).

Fig. 2.

Maximum electric field strength (left y-axis) and magnetic flux density (right y-axis) at the worker’s position per publication, per main frequency component for security gates and scanners and RFID scanners or active transponders. Legend: ― = electric field action levels; --- = magnetic field action levels; ● = electric field strength; ○ = magnetic flux density. Symbols in grey represent data published before 2012 and symbols in black data published in or after 2012. Literature references used:^{, –52)}

Fig. 3.

Maximum electric field strength (left y-axis) and magnetic flux density (right y-axis) at the worker’s position per publication, per main frequency component for plasma devices (plasma etching, plasma sputtering and vapour deposition). Legend: ― = electric field action levels; --- = magnetic field action levels; ● = electric field strength; ○ = magnetic flux density. Symbols in grey represent data published before 2012 and symbols in black data published in or after 2012. Literature references used:^{40, 53, 54)}

Fig. 4.

Maximum electric field strength (left y-axis) and magnetic flux density (right y-axis) at the worker’s position per publication, per main frequency component for broadcasting and telecommunication antennas. Legend: ― = electric field action levels; --- = magnetic field action levels; ● = electric field strength, broadcasting; ○ = magnetic flux density, broadcasting; ■ = electric field strength, telecommunication; □ = magnetic flux density, telecommunication. Symbols in grey represent data published before 2012 and symbols in black data published in or after 2012. Literature references used:^{, , –81)}

Fig. 5.

Maximum electric field strength at the worker’s position per publication, per main frequency component for industrial drying or heating processes. Legend: ― = electric field strength action levels; ● = electric field strength. Symbols in grey represent data published before 2012 and symbols in black data published in or after 2012. Literature references used:^{, –91)}

Fig. 6.

Maximum equivalent plain wave power density at the worker’s position per publication, per main frequency component for radar devices. Legend: ― = power density action levels; --- = ICNIRP 1998 power density reference levels; ● = power density. Symbols in grey represent data published before 2012 and symbols in black data published in or after 2012. Literature references used:^{, , , , , , , –105)}