Exposure survey of operators of radiofrequency dielectric heaters in Australia

A survey of industrial radiofrequency (RF) dielectric heaters within Australia was carried out during 1982 and 1983. The heaters operated within the frequency range 11-50 MHz and had available RF powers between 0.5 and 70 kW. The electric and magnetic field strengths in the vicinity of the operators of 101 heaters were surveyed. It was found that 39% of the heaters surveyed exposed the operators to levels greater than one but less than 10 times the recommended Australian limits. A further 23% of all heaters surveyed exposed the operators to levels equal to or greater than 10 times the recommended Australian limits.