Measurement and analysis of power-frequency magnetic fields in residences: Results from a pilot study

2018 · Unclear · Low evidence

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UnclearLow evidencePaper 2089

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2018

Study typeexposure_assessment

Reported directionUnclear

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Measurement and analysis of power-frequency magnetic fields in residences: Results from a pilot study Halgamuge MN, McLean L.Measurement and analysis of power-frequency magnetic fields in residences: Results from a pilot study. Measurement. 125:415-424. Sep 2018. doi.org Highlights • Exposure to high magnetic fields in residential situations occurs in proximity to appliances. • Emissions from some appliances exceeded the general public exposure levels of the ICNIRP limits. • Taking precautions, such as reducing distance from sources can significantly reduce exposures. • Collected data can be useful as an additional data base for future epidemiological studies. Abstract Aim Extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MFs) are emitted by electrical household appliances, wiring, meter boxes, conductive plumbing, power lines and transformers. Some of the studies investigating the link between ELF-MFs and health problems have not adequately characterized the magnetic field exposure of subjects, as they did not always measure residential magnetic fields or measure in locations where residents are most exposed. Considering this, there is a need for good quality assessments of residential ELF-MFs in different geographical regions to collect general public exposure data and to identify high sources of magnetic fields. Such studies have the potential to add significant scientific knowledge about residential exposure and appropriate precautions to reduce exposure, improve the quality of life and substantially reduce health care costs. Subject and methods In this work, we analyzed the ELF-MFs from 3163 datasets collected from 100 houses in Australia. Measurements were carried out in different geographical locations and were assessed for compliance with the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) Guidelines. Then we compared our measurements with another twenty-three peer-reviewed studies, published 1987-2015, reporting magnetic field measurements in residences. Results The observed average (geometric mean) magnetic field values were; bed 0.85, bedroom 1.39 mG, baby cot 0.39 mG, children's play area 0.47 mG, and family room 0.30 mG. Our results show considerable variation in the fields to which residents are typically exposed, particularly in beds (21.83%) and bedrooms (33.33%) where the percentage of measurements greater than 4 mG was considerable. Some emissions exceeded the general public exposure levels of the ICNIRP Guidelines, with the potential for residents to be exposed above these levels. However, away from electrical appliances, the average field in all rooms was 0.30-1.39 mG. We show that simple precautions can be applied to reduce exposure to ELF-MFs in residences and thereby minimize potential risks to health and wellbeing. Conclusion Our investigation provides a new data collection model for future surveys, which could be conducted with larger samples to verify our observations. Additionally, this data could be useful as a reference for researchers and those members of the general public who do not have access to the necessary measuring equipment. Excerpts The fields most likely to impact residents are those near beds, where people spend long periods of time daily. In our study, these included fields from clock radios, meter boxes, wiring and conductive plumbing. In most cases, the kitchen appliance with the highest magnetic field was the microwave oven, whether or not it was operating, indicating that especial care needs to be taken when positioning it. Our study considered only the magnetic fields from the microwave oven and not the microwave radiation that it also emits. Many other kitchen appliances also had high magnetic fields - including ovens, cook tops, range hoods, kettles, dishwashers and toasters. Magnetic fields varied from 2.9 to 167 mG for washing machines and 0.3 to 373 mG for clothes dryers, however, residents do not usually spend long periods of time close to these machines while they are operating. We measured highest magnetic fields from irons during the period when they were heating up to the desired setting and observed that, once they had done so, magnetic fields at the handle were generally less than 0.01 mG. A surprise finding was the very high magnetic fields from hairdryers, which are used in close proximity to the body. sciencedirect.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 directionunclear

PopulationResidents/houses in Australia (100 houses)

Sample size100

ExposureELF

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

ELF-MF measurements from 3163 datasets across 100 Australian houses showed geometric mean fields of 0.85 mG (bed), 1.39 mG (bedroom), 0.39 mG (baby cot), 0.47 mG (children's play area), and 0.30 mG (family room). There was considerable variation, with 21.83% of bed measurements and 33.33% of bedroom measurements reported as >4 mG, and some appliance-related emissions exceeded ICNIRP general public exposure levels; away from appliances, average fields across rooms were 0.30–1.39 mG.

Outcomes measured

Residential extremely low-frequency magnetic field (ELF-MF) levels (mG) in various locations/rooms (e.g., bed, bedroom, baby cot, play area, family room)
Proportion of measurements >4 mG in beds and bedrooms
Compliance/exceedance relative to ICNIRP general public exposure levels

Limitations

Pilot study (authors note larger samples needed to verify observations)
Frequency not specified in abstract (power-frequency implied)
Primarily measurement/exposure characterization; no health outcomes assessed

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "exposure_assessment",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "residential/household appliances and wiring (including meter boxes, plumbing, power lines/transformers mentioned)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Residents/houses in Australia (100 houses)",
  "sample_size": 100,
  "outcomes": [
    "Residential extremely low-frequency magnetic field (ELF-MF) levels (mG) in various locations/rooms (e.g., bed, bedroom, baby cot, play area, family room)",
    "Proportion of measurements >4 mG in beds and bedrooms",
    "Compliance/exceedance relative to ICNIRP general public exposure levels"
  ],
  "main_findings": "ELF-MF measurements from 3163 datasets across 100 Australian houses showed geometric mean fields of 0.85 mG (bed), 1.39 mG (bedroom), 0.39 mG (baby cot), 0.47 mG (children's play area), and 0.30 mG (family room). There was considerable variation, with 21.83% of bed measurements and 33.33% of bedroom measurements reported as >4 mG, and some appliance-related emissions exceeded ICNIRP general public exposure levels; away from appliances, average fields across rooms were 0.30–1.39 mG.",
  "effect_direction": "unclear",
  "limitations": [
    "Pilot study (authors note larger samples needed to verify observations)",
    "Frequency not specified in abstract (power-frequency implied)",
    "Primarily measurement/exposure characterization; no health outcomes assessed"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "extremely low-frequency",
    "ELF-MF",
    "power-frequency",
    "magnetic fields",
    "residential exposure",
    "household appliances",
    "Australia",
    "ICNIRP",
    "exposure assessment",
    "measurement"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "who-icnirp",
      "weight": 0.72,
      "reason": "Measurements were assessed for compliance with ICNIRP Guidelines and report exceedances relative to ICNIRP general public exposure levels."
    }
  ]
}

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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.measurement.2018.05.007
PubMed: Not supplied

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