Monitoring of people and workers exposure to the electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fields in an Italian National Cancer Institute.

Journal of experimental & clinical cancer research : CR · 2008 · Unclear · Insufficient evidence

← Research stream

UnclearInsufficient evidencePaper 5006

Magnetic induction (B) measurements ranged from 0.05 to 80 microT. Most measurements were between 0.05 and 0.5 microT, and 89% of B levels were within 3 microT.

Study snapshot

PublicationJournal of experimental & clinical cancer research : CR · 2008

Study typeexposure_assessment

Reported directionUnclear

Evidence ratingInsufficient

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The paper reports the electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fields (emf) measurements carried out in the Regina Elena National Cancer Institute (NCI). Several devices, used in diagnostics and in medical cures, can represent sources of emf for the workers and for the public subjected to the treatments. The aim is to evaluate their exposition, in order to assess the compliance with the law. METHODS: The investigations have been carried out in the departments of: intensive care, physiotherapy, MR presstherapy and in the surgical rooms. The measurements have been performed using broad band probes in the frequency ranges 5 Hz/30 kHz and 100 kHz-3 GHz. RESULTS: The variability of the magnetic induction (B(microT)) levels is between 0,05 microT and 80 microT. The statistical distribution shows that most of the measurements are in the range 0,05<B = 0,5 microT and the 89% of the B(microT) levels are within the 3 microT. CONCLUSION: The measurement of the emf levels in the NCI is recommended because of the presence of the oncological patients; their long stay near the equipments and their day-long exposure represent additional risk factors for which a prudent avoidance strategy have to de adopted.

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 and patients/public in an Italian National Cancer Institute (departments: intensive care, physiotherapy, MR presstherapy, surgical rooms)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF to RF

Evidence strengthInsufficientConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Magnetic induction (B) measurements ranged from 0.05 to 80 microT. Most measurements were between 0.05 and 0.5 microT, and 89% of B levels were within 3 microT.

Outcomes measured

Measured electric, magnetic and electromagnetic field levels (magnetic induction B in microtesla)
Compliance assessment with legal limits (as stated aim)

Limitations

Sample size/number of measurements not reported in abstract
Electric-field and RF results not quantified in abstract (only magnetic induction B reported)
No explicit statement of compliance outcomes in results section

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "exposure_assessment",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF to RF",
    "source": "hospital/medical equipment (diagnostics and treatments)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Workers and patients/public in an Italian National Cancer Institute (departments: intensive care, physiotherapy, MR presstherapy, surgical rooms)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Measured electric, magnetic and electromagnetic field levels (magnetic induction B in microtesla)",
    "Compliance assessment with legal limits (as stated aim)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Magnetic induction (B) measurements ranged from 0.05 to 80 microT. Most measurements were between 0.05 and 0.5 microT, and 89% of B levels were within 3 microT.",
  "effect_direction": "unclear",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size/number of measurements not reported in abstract",
    "Electric-field and RF results not quantified in abstract (only magnetic induction B reported)",
    "No explicit statement of compliance outcomes in results section"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "electric fields",
    "magnetic fields",
    "electromagnetic fields",
    "exposure assessment",
    "hospital",
    "medical devices",
    "workers",
    "patients",
    "broadband probes",
    "5 Hz-30 kHz",
    "100 kHz-3 GHz",
    "magnetic induction",
    "microtesla"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.78,
      "reason": "Measurements assess EMF exposure for workers in hospital departments."
    }
  ]
}

AI can be wrong. Always verify against the paper.

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: 10.1186/1756-9966-27-16
PubMed: 18598357

Read the original paper →

Related papers

← Back to the Research Library