Study of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields in infant incubators.

International journal of occupational medicine and environmental health · 2003 · No effect · Low evidence

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No effectLow evidencePaper 5257

Repeated measurements of magnetic flux density inside infant incubators detected a 50 Hz power frequency component, and measured ELF EMF values were over two orders of magnitude lower than EU reference values. Measurements in modern incubators (plastic suppor…

Study snapshot

PublicationInternational journal of occupational medicine and environmental health · 2003

Study typeexposure_assessment

Reported directionNo effect

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the work was to present the results of measurements of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF EMF), namely the magnetic flux density, inside infant incubators, and to compare these results with the data published by other authors who point out to a possible association between leukemia or other diseases observed in newborns kept in incubators after the birth and the ELF EMF exposure in the incubator. The measured magnetic flux densities were compared with the reference values for this frequency range indicated in the European Union (EU) recommendations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The repeated measurements in incubators were made with a calibrated magnetometer EFA 300 in the frequency range of 5-30 kHz. Effective values of magnetic flux densities of ELF EMF were determined taking account of the reference values. RESULTS: The results of many repeated measurements showing the values of magnetic flux density in modern incubators with plastic supporting frame, were compared with those obtained in old type incubators with iron skeleton. A power frequency of 50 Hz was detected in the incubator and the ELF EMF values were by over two orders lower than the EU reference values. CONCLUSIONS: The paper emphasizes the need to take a special care of newborns kept in incubators even if only the sub-reference values are detected. The EU reference values are intended for the adult human population. A baby in an incubator has much smaller dimensions, higher electric conductivity and maybe trigger another mechanism of response to ELF EMF than that indicated in this paper.

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 directionno_effect

Populationnewborns kept in infant incubators (exposure context)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Magnetic flux density inside infant incubators
Comparison to EU reference values for this frequency range

Limitations

No sample size or number of incubators reported in abstract
Exposure measurements only; no health outcomes assessed
Frequency range stated as 5–30 kHz, but results mention detection of 50 Hz power frequency (measurement/analysis details not provided in abstract)
EU reference values noted as intended for adults; applicability to newborns uncertain

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "exposure_assessment",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "infant incubator",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "newborns kept in infant incubators (exposure context)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Magnetic flux density inside infant incubators",
    "Comparison to EU reference values for this frequency range"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Repeated measurements of magnetic flux density inside infant incubators detected a 50 Hz power frequency component, and measured ELF EMF values were over two orders of magnitude lower than EU reference values. Measurements in modern incubators (plastic supporting frame) were compared with those in older incubators (iron skeleton).",
  "effect_direction": "no_effect",
  "limitations": [
    "No sample size or number of incubators reported in abstract",
    "Exposure measurements only; no health outcomes assessed",
    "Frequency range stated as 5–30 kHz, but results mention detection of 50 Hz power frequency (measurement/analysis details not provided in abstract)",
    "EU reference values noted as intended for adults; applicability to newborns uncertain"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "extremely low frequency",
    "ELF EMF",
    "magnetic flux density",
    "infant incubator",
    "newborns",
    "exposure assessment",
    "EU reference values",
    "50 Hz"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.2,
      "reason": "Published in an occupational/environmental health journal and involves EMF exposure measurement in a clinical device context."
    }
  ]
}

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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: Not supplied
PubMed: 14587534

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