Occupational exposure to electromagnetic fields of uninterruptible power supply industry workers

Abstract

There is an increasing concern that exposure to extremely low-frequency (ELF) electromagnetic fields (EMFs) may cause or contribute to adverse health effects. To assess exposure to ELF EMFs, electric and magnetic field spot measurements were performed extensively at the workplace of a worldwide uninterruptible power supply (UPS) factory. The measurements were carried out in order to get the electric and magnetic field exposure results in real working situations in test areas, production lines and power substations. The electric and magnetic fields reached up to 992.0 V m(-1) and 215.6 μT in the test areas, respectively. The fields existed up to 26.7 V m(-1) and 7.6 μT in the production lines. The field levels in the vicinity of the power substations did not exceed 165.5 V m(-1) and 65 μT. The data presented are useful in determining the occupational exposure levels of UPS industry workers. The measurements are below the reference levels recommended by the guideline published in 2010 by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection and action levels of the directive adopted in 2013 by European Parliament and Council.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Extensive workplace spot measurements in a UPS factory found electric and magnetic fields up to 992.0 V m(-1) and 215.6 μT in test areas; up to 26.7 V m(-1) and 7.6 μT in production lines; and not exceeding 165.5 V m(-1) and 65 μT near power substations. Reported measurements were below ICNIRP 2010 reference levels and below action levels in the 2013 European Parliament/Council directive.

Outcomes measured

• Workplace electric field spot measurements (V m(-1))
• Workplace magnetic field spot measurements (μT)
• Comparison to ICNIRP 2010 reference levels
• Comparison to EU 2013 directive action levels

Limitations

• Spot measurements only (no personal dosimetry reported)
• No health outcomes assessed
• Frequency characteristics and measurement protocol details not provided in abstract
• Sample size/number of measurement locations not stated

Suggested hubs

• occupational-exposure (0.95)
  Study measures workplace ELF electric and magnetic fields in an industrial setting.
• who-icnirp (0.6)
  Findings are compared against ICNIRP 2010 guideline reference levels.

{
    "study_type": "exposure_assessment",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "ELF",
        "source": "occupational",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": null
    },
    "population": "Uninterruptible power supply (UPS) factory workers",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Workplace electric field spot measurements (V m(-1))",
        "Workplace magnetic field spot measurements (μT)",
        "Comparison to ICNIRP 2010 reference levels",
        "Comparison to EU 2013 directive action levels"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Extensive workplace spot measurements in a UPS factory found electric and magnetic fields up to 992.0 V m(-1) and 215.6 μT in test areas; up to 26.7 V m(-1) and 7.6 μT in production lines; and not exceeding 165.5 V m(-1) and 65 μT near power substations. Reported measurements were below ICNIRP 2010 reference levels and below action levels in the 2013 European Parliament/Council directive.",
    "effect_direction": "no_effect",
    "limitations": [
        "Spot measurements only (no personal dosimetry reported)",
        "No health outcomes assessed",
        "Frequency characteristics and measurement protocol details not provided in abstract",
        "Sample size/number of measurement locations not stated"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "moderate",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "extremely low frequency",
        "ELF",
        "electromagnetic fields",
        "occupational exposure",
        "uninterruptible power supply",
        "UPS factory",
        "electric field",
        "magnetic field",
        "ICNIRP 2010",
        "EU directive 2013"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "occupational-exposure",
            "weight": 0.9499999999999999555910790149937383830547332763671875,
            "reason": "Study measures workplace ELF electric and magnetic fields in an industrial setting."
        },
        {
            "slug": "who-icnirp",
            "weight": 0.59999999999999997779553950749686919152736663818359375,
            "reason": "Findings are compared against ICNIRP 2010 guideline reference levels."
        }
    ]
}

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