Reduction of exposure of newborns and caregivers to very high electromagnetic fields produced by incubators.

Medical physics · 2005 · Benefit · Low evidence

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BenefitLow evidencePaper 5201

Study snapshot

PublicationMedical physics · 2005

Study typeengineering

Reported directionBenefit

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

The aims of this paper is to measure whether ferromagnetic panels sufficiently reduce the high electromagnetic fields (EMF) to which newborns are exposed in incubators and to which caregivers are exposed when working near the incubators. We measured EMF at mattress level in three neonatal incubators with and without ferromagnetic panels between the electric motor and the mattress. We then measured the EMF at the level of the maximum emission point for caregivers, i.e., near the display panel. The ferromagnetic panels were (a) 5 mm thick iron, (b), (c), (d) respectively, one, two, and three sheets of 0.3 mm thick mu-metal. The weight of iron sheet was 4 g/cm2, and mu-metal 0.2 g/cm2. The use of the ferromagnetic panels significantly reduced the EMF. No significant difference in attenuation was recorded using one, two, or, three sheets of mu-metal, or a single sheet of iron. One, two, and three sheets of mu-metal reduced EMFs by 77%, 82%, and 84.3%, respectively; the reduction with iron was 80%. EMF values measured in incubators were higher than those to which the general population is exposed. The use of ferromagnetic panels significantly reduces the level of EMFs to which neonates and caregivers are exposed.

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 typeengineering

Effect directionbenefit

PopulationNewborns (in incubators) and caregivers working near incubators

Sample size3

ExposureNot supplied

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

EMF was measured in three neonatal incubators with and without ferromagnetic panels placed between the electric motor and the mattress, and near the display panel for caregiver exposure. Ferromagnetic panels significantly reduced measured EMF; one, two, and three sheets of mu-metal reduced EMFs by 77%, 82%, and 84.3% respectively, and a 5 mm iron sheet reduced EMF by 80%, with no significant differences among these attenuation configurations. EMF values in incubators were reported as higher than those to which the general population is exposed.

Outcomes measured

Electromagnetic field (EMF) levels at mattress level in neonatal incubators
EMF levels near incubator display panel (caregiver maximum emission point)
Percent reduction (attenuation) of EMF using ferromagnetic panels

Limitations

Only three incubators were measured
Frequency characteristics and absolute EMF values are not provided in the abstract
No health outcomes were assessed; only exposure measurements/attenuation were evaluated

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "engineering",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "neonatal incubators",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Newborns (in incubators) and caregivers working near incubators",
  "sample_size": 3,
  "outcomes": [
    "Electromagnetic field (EMF) levels at mattress level in neonatal incubators",
    "EMF levels near incubator display panel (caregiver maximum emission point)",
    "Percent reduction (attenuation) of EMF using ferromagnetic panels"
  ],
  "main_findings": "EMF was measured in three neonatal incubators with and without ferromagnetic panels placed between the electric motor and the mattress, and near the display panel for caregiver exposure. Ferromagnetic panels significantly reduced measured EMF; one, two, and three sheets of mu-metal reduced EMFs by 77%, 82%, and 84.3% respectively, and a 5 mm iron sheet reduced EMF by 80%, with no significant differences among these attenuation configurations. EMF values in incubators were reported as higher than those to which the general population is exposed.",
  "effect_direction": "benefit",
  "limitations": [
    "Only three incubators were measured",
    "Frequency characteristics and absolute EMF values are not provided in the abstract",
    "No health outcomes were assessed; only exposure measurements/attenuation were evaluated"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "incubator",
    "neonatal",
    "newborn",
    "caregiver",
    "electromagnetic fields",
    "exposure reduction",
    "ferromagnetic panels",
    "mu-metal",
    "iron",
    "shielding",
    "medical device"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.6,
      "reason": "Includes exposure measurements at caregiver working position near incubator display panel."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.1118/1.1829404
PubMed: 15719965

Read the original paper →

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