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Measurements of intermediate-frequency electric and magnetic fields in households

2017 · No effect · Moderate evidence

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No effectModerate evidencePaper 1380

Spot measurements in residences found IF electric and magnetic field levels generally low at distances of 1 m or more from sources. At close distances (20–50 cm), certain appliances (e.g., induction cookers, CFLs/fluorescent lighting, LCD screens/TVs, microwa…

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2017
Study typeexposure_assessment
Reported directionNo effect
Evidence ratingModerate

Abstract

Measurements of intermediate-frequency electric and magnetic fields in households Aerts S, Calderon C, Valič B, Maslanyj M, Addison D, Mee T, Goiceanu C, Verloock L, Van den Bossche M, Gajšek P Vermeulen 5, Röösli M, Cardis E, Martens L, Joseph W.Measurements of intermediate-frequency electric and magnetic fields in households. Environ Res. 2017 Jan 10;154:160-170. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2017.01.001. Highlights • Survey of residential electric and magnetic fields at intermediate frequencies (IF). • IF-EF and -MF emitted by 280 household appliances were characterised. • Strongest emitters were induction cookers, CFLs, LCD-TVs, and microwave ovens. • No emissions exceeded ICNIRP limits (highest exposure quotient was 1.00). Abstract Historically, assessment of human exposure to electric and magnetic fields has focused on the extremely-low- frequency (ELF) and radiofrequency (RF) ranges. However, research on the typically emitted fields in the intermediate-frequency (IF) range (300Hz to 1MHz) as well as potential effects of IF fields on the human body remains limited, although the range of household appliances with electrical components working in the IF range has grown significantly (e.g., induction cookers and compact fluorescent lighting). In this study, an extensive measurement survey was performed on the levels of electric and magnetic fields in the IF range typically present in residences as well as emitted by a wide range of household appliances under real-life circumstances. Using spot measurements, residential IF field levels were found to be generally low, while the use of certain appliances at close distance (20cm) may result in a relatively high exposure. Overall, appliance emissions contained either harmonic signals, with fundamental frequencies between 6kHz and 300kHz, which were sometimes accompanied by regions in the IF spectrum of rather noisy, elevated field strengths, or much more capricious spectra, dominated by 50Hz harmonics emanating far in the IF domain. The maximum peak field strengths recorded at 20cm were 41.5V/m and 2.7A/m, both from induction cookers. Finally, none of the appliance emissions in the IF range exceeded the exposure summation rules recommended by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection guidelines and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC 62233) standard at 20cm and beyond (maximum exposure quotients EQE 1.0 and EQH 0.13). ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Conclusions Measurements of electric and magnetic fields at intermediate frequencies (IF) were performed in residences in three countries by way of a common protocol. Typical IF fields in the most frequented rooms were assessed as well as emissions from a wide range of household appliances. At distances of 1 m or more from the IF sources, field levels were found to be generally low. However, use of certain appliances at close distances (20-50cm), including induction cookers, LCD screens, microwave ovens and refrigerators with inverter technology, and (compact) fluorescent lighting, may result in exposures above 5% of public ICNIRP (2010) reference levels. In general, EF and MF emissions of household appliances in the IF range contained either harmonic signals, with fundamental frequencies between 6 and 293 kHz, which were sometimes accompanied by regions in the IF spectrum of rather noisy, elevated field strengths, or much more capricious spectra, seemingly dominated by 50 Hz harmonics emanating far in the IF domain. The maximum peak field strengths recorded in this study were 41.5 V/m and 2.7 A/m (both resulting from induction cookers) and at 20 cm and beyond none of the appliances exceeded the ICNIRP and IEC exposure summation rules (maximum observed electric- and magnetic-field exposure quotients were 1.00 and 0.13, respectively). The results reported here may provide a useful resource for epidemiological studies investigating the potential link between (adverse) health effects and exposure to IF fields.

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeexposure_assessment
Effect directionno_effect
PopulationNot supplied
Sample size280
ExposureIF
Evidence strengthModerateConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Spot measurements in residences found IF electric and magnetic field levels generally low at distances of 1 m or more from sources. At close distances (20–50 cm), certain appliances (e.g., induction cookers, CFLs/fluorescent lighting, LCD screens/TVs, microwave ovens, refrigerators with inverter technology) could produce relatively higher exposures; maximum peak fields at 20 cm were 41.5 V/m and 2.7 A/m (both from induction cookers). None of the measured appliance emissions exceeded ICNIRP/IEC exposure summation rules at 20 cm and beyond (maximum exposure quotients reported: EQE 1.00; EQH 0.13).

Outcomes measured

  • Intermediate-frequency (300 Hz–1 MHz) electric-field levels in residences
  • Intermediate-frequency (300 Hz–1 MHz) magnetic-field levels in residences
  • Appliance emission spectra (harmonics/noisy regions; fundamental frequencies 6–300 kHz)
  • Peak field strengths at 20 cm (V/m, A/m)
  • Compliance with ICNIRP/IEC exposure summation rules (exposure quotients)

Limitations

  • Spot measurements (not continuous/personal monitoring)
  • Exposure characterized under 'real-life circumstances' but specific usage patterns/durations not detailed in abstract
  • Health outcomes were not assessed (exposure survey only)
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "exposure_assessment",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "IF",
    "source": "household appliances (residential)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": null,
  "sample_size": 280,
  "outcomes": [
    "Intermediate-frequency (300 Hz–1 MHz) electric-field levels in residences",
    "Intermediate-frequency (300 Hz–1 MHz) magnetic-field levels in residences",
    "Appliance emission spectra (harmonics/noisy regions; fundamental frequencies 6–300 kHz)",
    "Peak field strengths at 20 cm (V/m, A/m)",
    "Compliance with ICNIRP/IEC exposure summation rules (exposure quotients)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Spot measurements in residences found IF electric and magnetic field levels generally low at distances of 1 m or more from sources. At close distances (20–50 cm), certain appliances (e.g., induction cookers, CFLs/fluorescent lighting, LCD screens/TVs, microwave ovens, refrigerators with inverter technology) could produce relatively higher exposures; maximum peak fields at 20 cm were 41.5 V/m and 2.7 A/m (both from induction cookers). None of the measured appliance emissions exceeded ICNIRP/IEC exposure summation rules at 20 cm and beyond (maximum exposure quotients reported: EQE 1.00; EQH 0.13).",
  "effect_direction": "no_effect",
  "limitations": [
    "Spot measurements (not continuous/personal monitoring)",
    "Exposure characterized under 'real-life circumstances' but specific usage patterns/durations not detailed in abstract",
    "Health outcomes were not assessed (exposure survey only)"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "moderate",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "intermediate frequency",
    "IF",
    "electric fields",
    "magnetic fields",
    "residential exposure",
    "household appliances",
    "induction cooker",
    "compact fluorescent lamp",
    "LCD TV",
    "microwave oven",
    "IEC 62233",
    "ICNIRP 2010",
    "exposure quotient"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "who-icnirp",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Compares measured IF fields to ICNIRP (2010) reference levels and exposure summation rules; mentions IEC 62233."
    }
  ]
}
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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2017.01.001
PubMed: Not supplied

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