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Electric fields in the human body due to electrostatic discharges
T W Dawson1, M A Stuchly, R Kavet
1Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada.
IEEE Transactions on Bio-Medical Engineering
|August 18, 2004
Summary
Electrostatic discharges (ESDs) can create strong electric fields in human tissues, potentially causing health effects. This study models these spark-discharge dosimetry effects in a human body, revealing kilovolt-per-meter fields in the lower arm.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Computational Electromagnetics
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Electrostatic discharges (ESDs) are sparks from potential differences.
- ESDs are hypothesized to cause health issues, including childhood leukemia.
- Contact currents from ESDs may induce higher electric fields than power line frequencies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To model spark-discharge dosimetry in a realistic human adult model.
- To assess electric fields in specific human tissues resulting from ESDs.
- To investigate potential health implications of ESD exposure.
Main Methods:
- Utilized numerical modeling to compute ESD dosimetry.
- Applied the frequency-domain scalar potential finite difference method.
- Employed Fourier transform analysis for electric field assessment.
Main Results:
- Calculated representative spark-discharge dosimetry in a human model.
- Electric fields reached kilovolts per meter in lower arm tissues like subcutaneous fat, muscle, and bone marrow.
- Discharge pulses were short, approximately 100 nanoseconds.
Conclusions:
- ESDs can induce significant electric fields within human tissues.
- The findings support the hypothesis that ESDs may be linked to adverse health effects.
- Further research is warranted to understand the biological impact of these induced fields.
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