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Exposure assessment for power frequency electric and magnetic fields
1T. Dan Bracken, Inc., Portland, Oregon.
American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal
|April 1, 1993
Summary
Occupational electric and magnetic field (EMF) exposures vary greatly. High EMF exposures are typically found in utility work, with specific job roles experiencing greater risk. Careful measurement and statistical analysis are crucial for accurate exposure assessment.
Area of Science:
- Occupational health and safety
- Environmental science
- Electromagnetism
Background:
- Extensive data on occupational electric and magnetic fields (EMF) have been gathered over the past decade.
- Occupational EMF levels exhibit significant spatial and temporal variability, leading to diverse exposure patterns among workers.
- Exposure distributions are often skewed, necessitating large sample sizes and multiple statistical descriptors for accurate assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze and characterize electric and magnetic field exposures in various occupational environments.
- To identify specific job roles and industries with potentially high EMF exposures.
- To discuss the implications of exposure variability and skewness for risk assessment.
Main Methods:
- Collection of area measurements, source characterizations, and personal exposure data.
- Analysis of spatial and temporal variations in EMF levels.
- Statistical evaluation of exposure distributions, including skewness.
Main Results:
- Electric fields in most workplaces are similar to residential levels, with high exposures limited to utility occupations like linemen and substation operators.
- Magnetic field exposures are comparable to residential levels unless a high-current source is present, affecting a broader range of occupations.
- Within the electric utility industry, generation facility workers, substation operators, linemen, and electricians face higher magnetic field exposures.
Conclusions:
- Occupational EMF exposures are highly variable and often skewed, requiring robust statistical methods for assessment.
- High electric field exposures are primarily confined to specific utility roles.
- Magnetic field exposures can be elevated in a wider array of occupations, including those outside the utility sector, due to various electrical sources.