Occupational Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields and Health Surveillance according to the European Directive 2013/35/EU

Abstract

In the European Union, health surveillance (HS) of electromagnetic fields (EMF)-exposed workers is mandatory according to the Directive 2013/35/EU, aimed at the prevention of known direct biophysical effects and indirect EMF’s effects. Long-term effects are not addressed in the Directive as the evidence of a causal relationship is considered inadequate. Objectives of HS are the prevention or early detection of EMF adverse effects, but scant evidence is hitherto available on the specific procedures. A first issue is that no specific laboratory tests or medical investigations have been demonstrated as useful for exposure monitoring and/or prevention of the effects. Another problem is the existence of workers at particular risk (WPR), i.e., subjects with specific conditions inducing an increased susceptibility to the EMF-related risk (e.g., workers with active medical devices or other conditions); exposures within the occupational exposure limit values (ELVs) are usually adequately protective against EMF’s effects, but lower exposures can possibly induce a health risk in WPR. Consequently, the HS of EMF-exposed workers according to the EU Directive should be aimed at the early detection and monitoring of the recognized adverse effects, as well as an early identification of WPR for the adoption of adequate preventive measures.

Subjective Symptoms in Magnetic Resonance Imaging Personnel: A Multi-Center Study in Italy

“…In line with earlier research and considering these limitations of our study it should still be considered useful to evaluate the occurrence of these health complaints during health surveillance of MRI personnel (8). The importance of investigating these symptoms is not only related to their possible association with EMF exposure during MRI activities, as previously reported (12)(13)(14), but it should be considered that a systematic collection of these symptoms may help the occupational physicians responsible for the health surveillance of MRI personnel in identifying groups of subjects at "particular risk, " as indicated in European Directive 2013/35 (8). In fact, many of these symptoms, and in particular core symptoms, can be considered sensory effects of exposure to magnetic fields, and they are particularly related to the performance of physical movements within a static magnetic field.…”

“…The risk related to occupational exposure to these types of EMFs needs to be evaluated, as it is for other occupational risks, in order to ensure adequate occupational safety and health (OSH) of MRI personnel (8). Among the effects to be considered for appropriate preventive interventions, it should be noted that, according to the scientific literature, various subjective sensory symptoms have been reported for MRI personnel (1,(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15).…”

Anti-Oxidative and Immune Regulatory Responses of THP-1 and PBMC to Pulsed EMF Are Field-Strength Dependent

“…It is further suggested that susceptibility to EMF is influenced by the fundamental medical condition [ 4 , 6 ]. This was also true when translated to in vitro experiments, in which only osteoblasts with an initial low capacity for matrix mineralization responded to EMF treatment [ 53 ].…”

“…Reports on the sensitivity of human health to electromagnetic fields (EMF) have accumulated around the globe and manifest clinically as electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) with broad-spectrum symptoms in multiple organs [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. The European Union acknowledged and tackled EHS concerns in the Directive 2013/35/EU, recommending exposure levels of maximum 0.1 mT for public exposure, up to 1 mT for workers at particular risk (WPR), and accepts levels of 3–6 mT in temporary situations [ 4 , 5 ]. Similarly to WPR, medically preconditioned individuals were suggested to be more susceptible to EHS as their survival rate was found to decrease under EMF exposure [ 6 ].…”

Effect of non-ionizing radiation on the health of medical staff of magnetic resonance imaging rooms

“…Moreover, this indicator was higher in women [37]. The purpose of monitoring of EMF side effects is to identify electrosensitive workers with increased susceptibility [38].…”