RF Safe

Assessment of Personal Occupational Exposure to RF EMF in Libraries and Media Libraries, Using Calibrated On-Body Exposimeters

2019 · No effect · Low evidence

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No effectLow evidencePaper 1780

Dynamic on-body exposimeter measurements in seven libraries (20 RF bands, 88–5850 MHz) over 28 working days found a median total field of 0.071 V/m (10th: 0.022; 90th: 0.534). For WiFi, the median field was 0.005 V/m (10th: 0.005; 90th: 0.028), with median in…

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2019
Study typeexposure_assessment
Reported directionNo effect
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Assessment of Personal Occupational Exposure to RF EMF in Libraries and Media Libraries, Using Calibrated On-Body Exposimeters Massardier-Pilonchery A, Nerrière E, Croidieu S, Ndagijimana F, Gaudaire F, Martinsons C, Noé N, Hours M. Assessment of Personal Occupational Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields in Libraries and Media Libraries, Using Calibrated On-Body Exposimeters. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(12), 2087; doi.org. Abstract Background and Objectives: With the spread of Wifi networks, safety concerns have arisen, with complaints of somatic disorders, notably in traditional libraries and media libraries. The aim of the present study was to describe the conditions and levels of exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields in the real-life occupational conditions of those working in traditional libraries and media libraries. Methods: Dynamic measurements, using an exposimeter, were taken in 20 radiofrequency bands from 88 to 5850 MHz. The activity of 28 library workers was analyzed on a space-time budget. An audit of exposure sources and static measurements enabled the work-places to be mapped. Results: In seven libraries, 78,858 samples were taken over the 20 radiofrequency bands from 88 to 5850 MHz. Exposure was described for 28 working days. The median total field was 0.071 V/m (10th percentile: 0.022 V/m, 90th percentile: 0.534 V/m) and for Wifi the median field was 0.005 V/m (10th percentile: 0.005 V/m, 90th percentile: 0.028 V/m). Median individual exposure to Wifi frequency waves ranged from 0.005 to 0.040 V/m. Conclusions: Overall, the occupational exposure in this sector was close to the exposure in the general population. Peaks were due to the use of walkie-talkies by security staff. Exposure due to external sources depended on geographic location. Exposure in this occupation is well below the general occupational exposure levels, notably as regards Wifi. Conclusions The aim of this study was to assess electromagnetic exposure of employees in libraries, notably, to Wifi. On average, occupational exposure in this branch is close to that of the general population. The highest peaks were associated with walkie-talkie use by security staff. Exposure to outside sources depended on the geographic location. Employees' exposure was largely below the occupational norms, notably as regards Wifi. Static exposure from radiofrequency outdoor emissions (UMTS, GSTM) and from indoor Wifi spots is found to be 10 times lower than electromagnetic limit values defined by ICNIRP. The exposure of workers to electromagnetic fields is rarely explored by occupational practitioners due to a lack of methodology to perform this evaluation. The present methodology for describing exposure could be transposed to other occupational radiofrequency exposure contexts, given persisting doubts about the health risks involved and the current legislation. What is New in This Paper? Exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields due to new technologies in the real-life occupational conditions in library and media libraries is not well characterized. This study finds an exposure close to the general population. However, high peaks were due to the use of walkie-talkies by security staff. Exposure due to external sources depended on geographic location. Open access paper: mdpi.com

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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
PopulationLibrary and media library workers
Sample size28
ExposureRF · 28 working days (dynamic measurements); 78,858 samples
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Dynamic on-body exposimeter measurements in seven libraries (20 RF bands, 88–5850 MHz) over 28 working days found a median total field of 0.071 V/m (10th: 0.022; 90th: 0.534). For WiFi, the median field was 0.005 V/m (10th: 0.005; 90th: 0.028), with median individual WiFi exposure ranging from 0.005 to 0.040 V/m. The highest peaks were associated with walkie-talkie use by security staff; overall exposure was described as close to general population levels and well below occupational norms/ICNIRP limits (as stated).

Outcomes measured

  • Personal occupational RF-EMF exposure levels (electric field strength, V/m) across 20 RF bands (88–5850 MHz)
  • WiFi-specific exposure levels (V/m)
  • Identification of exposure peaks and sources (e.g., walkie-talkies)
  • Comparison to general population exposure and to ICNIRP limit values (as stated)
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "exposure_assessment",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "occupational (libraries/media libraries; WiFi; walkie-talkies; outdoor emissions such as UMTS/GSM)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "28 working days (dynamic measurements); 78,858 samples"
  },
  "population": "Library and media library workers",
  "sample_size": 28,
  "outcomes": [
    "Personal occupational RF-EMF exposure levels (electric field strength, V/m) across 20 RF bands (88–5850 MHz)",
    "WiFi-specific exposure levels (V/m)",
    "Identification of exposure peaks and sources (e.g., walkie-talkies)",
    "Comparison to general population exposure and to ICNIRP limit values (as stated)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Dynamic on-body exposimeter measurements in seven libraries (20 RF bands, 88–5850 MHz) over 28 working days found a median total field of 0.071 V/m (10th: 0.022; 90th: 0.534). For WiFi, the median field was 0.005 V/m (10th: 0.005; 90th: 0.028), with median individual WiFi exposure ranging from 0.005 to 0.040 V/m. The highest peaks were associated with walkie-talkie use by security staff; overall exposure was described as close to general population levels and well below occupational norms/ICNIRP limits (as stated).",
  "effect_direction": "no_effect",
  "limitations": [],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "RF-EMF",
    "occupational exposure",
    "libraries",
    "media libraries",
    "WiFi",
    "exposimeter",
    "on-body calibration",
    "walkie-talkies",
    "UMTS",
    "GSM",
    "ICNIRP"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.95,
      "reason": "Assesses personal occupational RF-EMF exposure among library workers using on-body exposimeters."
    },
    {
      "slug": "school-wi-fi",
      "weight": 0.35,
      "reason": "Includes WiFi exposure characterization in an indoor public setting (libraries), though not schools."
    },
    {
      "slug": "who-icnirp",
      "weight": 0.4,
      "reason": "Compares measured fields to ICNIRP limit values (as stated in conclusions)."
    }
  ]
}
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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: 10.3390/ijerph16122087
PubMed: Not supplied

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