Protection of Workers Exposed to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields

A Perspective on Open Questions in the Context of the New Icnirp 2020 Guidelines

Bibliographic Data

ID22068675
AuthorsPeter Jeschke (0000-0001-7853-3534, Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, corresponding author), Carsten Alteköster (Institut für Arbeitsschutz der Deutschen Gesetzlichen Unfallversicherung), Kjell Hansson Mild (0000-0001-7260-6819, Umeå University), Michel Israël (0000-0002-4041-3518), Mihaela Ivanova (0000-0002-6041-8471, National Center of Public Health and Analyses), Klaus Schiessl, Tsvetelina Shalamanova (0009-0006-9331-4739, National Center of Public Health and Analyses), Florian Soyka (0000-0003-1546-0491, Institut für Arbeitsschutz der Deutschen Gesetzlichen Unfallversicherung), Rianne Stam (0009-0009-8594-2497, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment), Jonna Wilén (0000-0002-8377-5703, Umeå University)
Year2022
Volume10
Pages875946-875946
Publication date2022-06-02
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2022.875946
PMID35757616
OpenAlexW4281702691
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited26

Workers in occupational settings are usually exposed to numerous sources of electromagnetic fields (EMF) and to different physical agents. Risk assessment for industrial workplaces concerning EMF is not only relevant to operators of devices or machinery emitting EMF, but also to support-workers, bystanders, service and maintenance personnel, and even visitors. Radiofrequency EMF guidelines published in 2020 by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) may also be indirectly applied to assess risks emerging from EMF sources at workplaces by technical standards or legislation. To review the applicability and adequacy to assess exposure to EMF in occupational settings in the European Union, the most current ICNIRP guidelines on radiofrequency EMF are reviewed. Relevant ICNIRP fundamentals and principles are introduced, followed by practical aspects of exposure assessment. To conclude, open questions are formulated pointing out gaps between the guidelines' principles and occupational practice, such as the impact of hot and humid environments and physical activity or controversies around ICNIRPS's reduction factors in view of assessment uncertainty in general. Thus, the article aims to provide scientific policy advisors, labor inspectors, or experts developing standards with a profound understanding about ICNIRP guidelines' applicability to assess hazards related to radiofrequency EMF in occupational settings

Business · Commission · Environmental health · European commission · European union · Legislation · Non-ionizing radiation · Occupational exposure · Physics · Political science · Radiation protection · Computer Science · Electromagnetic Fields and Biological Effects · Law · Medicine · Noise Effects and Management · Radiation Dose and Imaging

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