Perception of health risks of electromagnetic fields by MRI radiographers and airport security officers compared to the general Dutch working population: a cross sectional analysis.

Environmental health : a global access science source · 2011 · Unclear · Low evidence

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UnclearLow evidencePaper 4431

Study snapshot

PublicationEnvironmental health : a global access science source · 2011

Study typecross_sectional

Reported directionUnclear

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The amount of exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) at work is mainly determined by an individual's occupation and may differ from exposure at home. It is, however, unknown how different occupational groups perceive possible adverse health effects of EMF. METHODS: Three occupational groups, the general Dutch working population (n = 567), airport security officers who work with metal detectors (n = 106), and MRI radiographers who work with MRI (n = 193), were compared on perceived risk of and positive and negative feelings towards EMF in general and of different EMF sources, and health concerns by using analyses of variances. Data were collected via an internet survey. RESULTS: Overall, MRI radiographers had a lower perceived risk, felt less negative, and more positive towards EMF and different sources of EMF than the general working population and the security officers. For security officers, feeling more positive about EMF was not significantly related to perceived risk of EMF in general or EMF of domestic sources. Feeling positive about a source did not generalize to a lower perceived risk, while negative feelings were stronger related to perceived risk. MRI radiographers had fewer health concerns regarding EMF than the other two groups, although they considered it more likely that EMF could cause physical complaints. CONCLUSIONS: These data show that although differences in occupation appear to be reflected in different perceptions of EMF, the level of occupational exposure to EMF as such does not predict the perceived health risk of EMF.

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 typecross_sectional

Effect directionunclear

PopulationGeneral Dutch working population, airport security officers working with metal detectors, and MRI radiographers working with MRI (Netherlands)

Sample size866

ExposureNot supplied

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In an internet survey, MRI radiographers reported lower perceived risk, less negative feelings, and more positive feelings toward EMF and EMF sources than the general working population and airport security officers. MRI radiographers reported fewer health concerns regarding EMF, although they considered it more likely that EMF could cause physical complaints. The authors conclude that occupational exposure level itself did not predict perceived health risk of EMF.

Outcomes measured

Perceived risk of EMF (general and by source)
Positive and negative feelings towards EMF (general and by source)
Health concerns regarding EMF
Perceived likelihood that EMF could cause physical complaints

Limitations

Cross-sectional design
Self-reported perceptions measured via internet survey

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "cross_sectional",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "occupational (MRI; metal detectors) and general EMF sources",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "General Dutch working population, airport security officers working with metal detectors, and MRI radiographers working with MRI (Netherlands)",
  "sample_size": 866,
  "outcomes": [
    "Perceived risk of EMF (general and by source)",
    "Positive and negative feelings towards EMF (general and by source)",
    "Health concerns regarding EMF",
    "Perceived likelihood that EMF could cause physical complaints"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In an internet survey, MRI radiographers reported lower perceived risk, less negative feelings, and more positive feelings toward EMF and EMF sources than the general working population and airport security officers. MRI radiographers reported fewer health concerns regarding EMF, although they considered it more likely that EMF could cause physical complaints. The authors conclude that occupational exposure level itself did not predict perceived health risk of EMF.",
  "effect_direction": "unclear",
  "limitations": [
    "Cross-sectional design",
    "Self-reported perceptions measured via internet survey"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "electromagnetic fields",
    "risk perception",
    "occupational exposure",
    "MRI radiographers",
    "airport security officers",
    "metal detectors",
    "health concerns",
    "internet survey",
    "Netherlands"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Compares EMF risk perceptions across occupational groups with different workplace EMF sources (MRI, metal detectors)."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.1186/1476-069x-10-95
PubMed: 22070906

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