A review of the effects of exposure to a time-varying electromagnetic field and the metrological properties of measurement devices that have a significant influence when evaluating exposure in the work environment
Journal Title: Podstawy i Metody Oceny Środowiska Pracy - Year 2016, Vol 32, Issue 4
Abstract
Any use of electric devices and installations is inextricably linked to the intentional or uninten-tional emission of electromagnetic energy. Consequently, the electromagnetic field is commonly present in the environment. The direct effects of the electromagnetic influence on electrically conductive objects (including the human body) consists in the electric field and current induction in exposed objects (single objects in the ‘free space’, or in groups of objects with galvanic contact). In the human body, they may cause electrostimulation in electro sensitive tissues or an increase in temperature that may lead to malfunctions within the body or difficulties in the safe performance of professional duties. When identifying, investigating and evaluating the parameters of the electromagnetic field, various techniques can be applied: measurments, computer simulations or the analysis of parameters of technical objects emitting an electromagnetic field. The highest quality evaluation of occupational hazards usually comes from in-situ investigations. This is because they allow the evaluation of the real parameters of electromagnetic fields in the particular conditions of the workplace where various electric devices and installations may be used at the same time, and where various physical objects are present that might influence the exposure morphology (e.g. spatial distribution and time variability). They also permit an evaluation of the exposure conditions taking into account the actual technical stage of the field sources, which vary due to changes in the use and maintenance conditions, or due to aging devices.The article presents: the characteristics of direct and indirect interaction between the electromagnetic field and the human body, the measures of exposure to a time-varying electromagnetic field (5 Hz – 300 GHz frequency band), the parameters characterizing the electromagnetic field in the environment (used according to the labour law in evaluations of workers’ exposure), the principles of electric and magnetic field measurements and the metrological properties of measurement devices (significant from the point of view of the quality of measurements used in the area of occupational health and safety). Factors determining the uncertainty of electromagnetic field measurements are also characterized, focusing on the rationale for guidelines on the metrological parameters of devices used in measurements intended to evaluate whether exposure conditions comply with the established limits of electric and magnetic field strength at the workplace.<br/><br/>
Authors and Affiliations
Paweł Bieńkowski, Jolanta Karpowicz, Jarosław Kieliszek
Keywords
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- EP ID EP189949
- DOI 10.5604/1231868X.1215436
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