[Measurement and assessment of electromagnetic fields near radiophones in line with provisions of European Directive 2013/35/EU and Polish labour law].

Medycyna pracy · 2013 · Unclear · Moderate evidence

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UnclearModerate evidencePaper 3113

Study snapshot

PublicationMedycyna pracy · 2013

Study typeexposure_assessment

Reported directionUnclear

Evidence ratingModerate

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The activities of rescue and uniformed services require the use of wireless communication devices, such as portable radiophones. Assessment of workers' exposure to electromagnetic fields emitted by radiophones is important in view of occupational safety and health (OSH), legislation requirements and reports on possible adverse health effects in users of devices emitting radiofrequency electromagnetic field. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study 50 portable radiophones of conventional and trunked communication systems were investigated. The assessment of electromagnetic hazards to users involved unperturbed electromagnetic field measurements near radiophones' antennas. RESULTS: The electric field strength corresponding to the occupational exposure level (fields of so-called safety zones established by OSH legislation in Poland) was measured at a distance of 45-65 cm from the portable radiophones antennas of conventional system and 75-95 cm from antennas of trunked system radiophones, depending on their type and mode of work. The assessment was based on the averaged results of series of measurements. The electric field strength exceeding action levels defined by Directive 2013/35/EU was found up to 15 cm from radiophone antennas of conventional system and up to 10 cm from the antennas of trunked system radiophones. CONCLUSIONS: Taking into account the range of safety zones and the use of portable radiophones near the body, their users should be classified into the group of workers occupationally exposed to electromagnetic fields. Electromagnetic field measurement results and typical conditions of using portable radiophones justify the need for additional assessment of electromagnetic hazards--the analysis of compliance with relevant exposure limit values provided by Directive 2013/35/EU.

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 directionunclear

PopulationWorkers using portable radiophones (rescue and uniformed services)

Sample size50

ExposureRF

Evidence strengthModerateConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Unperturbed electric field measurements near antennas of 50 portable radiophones found that electric field strength corresponding to Polish OSH safety-zone occupational exposure levels occurred at 45–65 cm from conventional-system radiophones and 75–95 cm from trunked-system radiophones (depending on type/mode). Electric field strength exceeding action levels defined by Directive 2013/35/EU was found up to 15 cm from conventional-system radiophone antennas and up to 10 cm from trunked-system radiophone antennas. The authors conclude that, given typical near-body use and safety-zone ranges, users should be classified as occupationally exposed and that additional compliance assessment versus Directive exposure limit values is justified.

Outcomes measured

Electric field strength near radiophone antennas
Distance from antenna at which occupational exposure level (Polish OSH safety zones) occurs
Distance from antenna at which electric field exceeds action levels in EU Directive 2013/35/EU
Classification of users as occupationally exposed workers (per legislation context)

Limitations

No frequency information reported in the abstract
No quantitative electric-field values reported in the abstract (only distances to thresholds)
Health outcomes were not assessed; study focuses on exposure/hazard assessment
Measurement details beyond 'unperturbed measurements' and averaging are not provided in the abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "exposure_assessment",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "portable radiophones",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Workers using portable radiophones (rescue and uniformed services)",
  "sample_size": 50,
  "outcomes": [
    "Electric field strength near radiophone antennas",
    "Distance from antenna at which occupational exposure level (Polish OSH safety zones) occurs",
    "Distance from antenna at which electric field exceeds action levels in EU Directive 2013/35/EU",
    "Classification of users as occupationally exposed workers (per legislation context)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Unperturbed electric field measurements near antennas of 50 portable radiophones found that electric field strength corresponding to Polish OSH safety-zone occupational exposure levels occurred at 45–65 cm from conventional-system radiophones and 75–95 cm from trunked-system radiophones (depending on type/mode). Electric field strength exceeding action levels defined by Directive 2013/35/EU was found up to 15 cm from conventional-system radiophone antennas and up to 10 cm from trunked-system radiophone antennas. The authors conclude that, given typical near-body use and safety-zone ranges, users should be classified as occupationally exposed and that additional compliance assessment versus Directive exposure limit values is justified.",
  "effect_direction": "unclear",
  "limitations": [
    "No frequency information reported in the abstract",
    "No quantitative electric-field values reported in the abstract (only distances to thresholds)",
    "Health outcomes were not assessed; study focuses on exposure/hazard assessment",
    "Measurement details beyond 'unperturbed measurements' and averaging are not provided in the abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "moderate",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "portable radiophones",
    "wireless communication devices",
    "occupational exposure",
    "electric field strength",
    "radiofrequency electromagnetic fields",
    "Directive 2013/35/EU",
    "Polish labour law",
    "safety zones",
    "trunked communication",
    "conventional system"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Assesses EMF exposure/hazards for workers using portable radiophones in rescue/uniformed services."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.13075/mp.5893.2013.0069
PubMed: 24502130

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