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Magnetic field exposure among utility workers

T D Bracken1, R F Rankin, R S Senior

  • 1T. Dan Bracken, Inc., Portland, Oregon 97202, USA.

Bioelectromagnetics
|January 1, 1995
PubMed
Summary
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Utility workers, particularly substation operators and electricians, experience higher power-frequency magnetic field exposures during their workday. These exposures, measured using the Electric and Magnetic Field Digital Exposure (EMDEX) system, are significant, with on-the-job exposure comprising at least half of their total daily exposure.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Occupational Safety
  • Electromagnetics

Background:

  • The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) conducted the Electric and Magnetic Field Digital Exposure (EMDEX) Project to assess magnetic field exposures.
  • Understanding power-frequency magnetic field exposure is crucial for evaluating potential health risks in occupational settings.
  • Previous research highlighted the need for standardized measurement protocols and diverse population sampling in exposure studies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To collect, analyze, and document power-frequency magnetic field exposures for a diverse group of utility workers.
  • To compare magnetic field exposures across different job classifications and work environments within the utility sector.
  • To quantify the proportion of total exposure occurring during work versus non-work activities.

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Main Methods:

  • Utilized the EMDEX system for measuring magnetic field data at 10-second intervals.
  • Collected data from volunteer utility employees across 59 sites in four countries over a one-year period (1988-1989).
  • Employed standardized sampling and data collection protocols, with volunteers recording environments occupied and job classifications.

Main Results:

  • Approximately 50,000 hours of magnetic field exposure data were obtained, with 70% from work environments.
  • Utility-specific job classifications, such as substation operators (median 0.7 microT) and electricians (median 0.5 microT), showed higher workday mean magnetic field exposures.
  • Utility workers received about half or more of their total exposure on the job, and non-work exposures were comparable across job categories.

Conclusions:

  • Power-frequency magnetic field exposures are significantly higher in utility-specific job roles compared to general occupations.
  • Workplace environments and specific job tasks within the electricity generation, transmission, and distribution sectors are primary contributors to worker exposure.
  • The EMDEX project successfully provided valuable data on magnetic field exposure patterns for utility workers, informing occupational health and safety assessments.