Assessment of occupational exposure to radiofrequency fields and radiation

Cooper, T G; Allen, S. G.; Blackwell, R P; Litchfield, Ian; Mann, Simon; Pope, James Gray; Tongeren, Martie van

doi:10.1093/rpd/nch334

Cited by 16 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…There are also other exposimeters that are applied to assess workers' exposure, typically at field levels in the range of the exposure levels [EU, 2004], but the concepts of these devices are not suitable to assess individual exposure of the general population because exposure in the everyday environment is usually lower [Cooper et al, 2004]. New concepts of textile antennas and arrays of body‐worn receivers were shown by Cotton and Scanlon 2006, and Klemm and Tröster 2006.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The association between exposure determined by radiofrequency personal exposimeters and human exposure: A simulation study

Neubauer¹,

Cecil²,

Giczi³

et al. 2010

Bioelectromagnetics

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The selection of an adequate exposure assessment approach is imperative for the quality of epidemiological studies. The use of personal exposimeters turned out to be a reasonable approach to determine exposure profiles, however, certain limitations regarding the absolute values delivered by the devices have to be considered. Apart from the limited dynamic range, it has to be taken into account that these devices give only an approximation of the exposure due to the influence of the body of the person carrying the exposimeter, the receiver characteristics of the exposimeter, as well as the dependence of the measured value on frequency band, channel, slot configuration, and communication traffic. In this study, the relationship between the field strength measured close to the human body at the location of the exposimeter and the exposure, that is, the field strength at the location of the human body without the human body present, is investigated by numerical means using the Visible Human model as an anatomical phantom. Two different scenarios were chosen: (1) For FM, GSM, and UMTS an urban outdoor scenario was examined that included a transmitting antenna mounted on the roof of one of four buildings at a street crossing, (2) For WLAN an indoor scenario was investigated. For GSM the average degree of underestimation by the exposimeter (relation of the average field levels at the location of the exposimeter to the field level averaged over the volume of the human body without the body present) was 0.76, and for UMTS 0.87; for FM no underestimation was found, the ratio was 1. In the case of WLAN the degree of underestimation was more pronounced, the ratio was 0.64. This study clearly suggests that a careful evaluation of correction factors for different scenarios is needed prior to the definition of the study protocol. It has to be noted that the reference scenario used in this study does not allow for final conclusions on general correction factors.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The association between exposure determined by radiofrequency personal exposimeters and human exposure: A simulation study

Neubauer¹,

Cecil²,

Giczi³

et al. 2010

Bioelectromagnetics

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show abstract

“…More recently, personal monitors have been recommended as the best means of assessing individual exposures of those working in the telecommunication and broadcasting industries 26 , 27 . Their convenience means that they are suited for use in future epidemiological studies 14 , 16 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…, and first analysed by Cooper et al . 14 are presented. In collecting these data, two designs of personal monitors were used over the course of the study.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Only a limited amount of research has been published on occupational RF exposures of workers in the telecommunication and broadcast industries 14 – 16 . Though the combination continues to evolve, the types of RF source have been established for some time and here results are presented from a study that explored the exposure of telecommunication and broadcast employees in the UK in the early 2000 s 14 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Radiofrequency Exposure Amongst Employees of Mobile Network Operators and Broadcasters

Litchfield

Tongeren

Sorahan

2016

Radiat Prot Dosimetry

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Little is known about personal exposure to radiofrequency (RF) fields amongst employees in the telecommunications industry responsible for installing and maintaining transmitters. IARC classified RF exposure as a possible carcinogen, although evidence from occupational studies was judged to be inadequate. Hence, there is a need for improved evidence of any potentially adverse health effects amongst the workforce occupationally exposed to RF radiation. In this study, results are presented from an exposure survey using data from personal monitors used by employees in the broadcasting and telecommunication industries of the UK. These data were supplemented by spot measurements using broadband survey metres and information on daily work activities provided by employee questionnaires. The sets of real-time personal data were categorised by four types of site determined by the highest powered antenna present (high, medium or low power and ground-level sites). For measurements gathered at each type of site, the root mean square and a series of box plots were produced. Results from the daily activities diaries suggested that riggers working for radio and television broadcasters were exposed to much longer periods as compared to colleagues working for mobile operators. Combining the results from the measurements and daily activity diaries clearly demonstrate that exposures were highest for riggers working for broadcasting sites. This study demonstrates that it is feasible to carry out exposure surveys within these populations that will provide reliable estimates of exposure that can be used for epidemiological studies of occupational groups exposed to RF fields.

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“…Cooper et al (2004) investigated the use of personal monitors for the assessment of exposure to RF and radiation in potential future epidemiological studies of occupationally exposed populations. The results indicated significant differences in the exposures of workers in various RF environments.…”

Section: Exposure Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recent Advances in Research on Radiofrequency Fields and Health: 2004–2007

Habash

Elwood

Krewski

et al. 2009

Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part B

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The widespread use of wireless telecommunications devices, particularly mobile phones and wireless networks, has resulted in increased human exposure to radiofrequency (RF) fields. Although national and international agencies have established safety guidelines for exposure to RF fields, concerns remain about the potential for adverse health outcomes to occur in relation to RF field exposure. The extensive literature on RF fields and health was reviewed by a number of authorities, including the Royal Society of Canada (1999). This report is the third in a series of updates to the original report of the Royal Society of Canada, covering the period 2004-2007. In particular, the present study examined new data on (1) dosimetry and exposure assessment, (2) biological effects of RF fields such as enzyme induction, and (3) toxicological effects, including genotoxicity and carcinogenicity. Epidemiological studies of the potential health effects of RF exposure, particularly from mobile phones, were determined, along with human and animal studies of neurological and behavioural effects. Within the last 4 yrs investigators concluded that there is no clear evidence of adverse health effects associated with RF fields, although continued research is recommended to address specific areas of concern, including exposure to RF fields among children using mobile phones. The results of the ongoing 13-country World Health Organization INTERPHONE study of mobile phones may provide important new information on the potential cancer risks associated with mobile phone use.

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Assessment of occupational exposure to radiofrequency fields and radiation

Cited by 16 publications

References 6 publications

The association between exposure determined by radiofrequency personal exposimeters and human exposure: A simulation study

The association between exposure determined by radiofrequency personal exposimeters and human exposure: A simulation study

Radiofrequency Exposure Amongst Employees of Mobile Network Operators and Broadcasters

Recent Advances in Research on Radiofrequency Fields and Health: 2004–2007

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