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How much are anesthesiologists exposed to electromagnetic fields in operating rooms?

Yonsei medical journal · 2003 · Unclear · Low evidence

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UnclearLow evidencePaper 5283

Magnetic field density measured in 19 operating rooms averaged 2.22 +/- 1.13 mG at 30 cm from the main monitor center, 1.29 +/- 0.84 mG at 50 cm, and 1.00 +/- 0.78 mG at the anesthesiologist's standing point. Using 2 mG as a cutoff for high exposure, some ope…

Study snapshot

PublicationYonsei medical journal · 2003
Study typeexposure_assessment
Reported directionUnclear
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Numerous electronic devices have been introduced into the operating room. Although little is known about the relationship between exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) and health hazards, some authors reported its association with cancer or other diseases. We measured the amount of EMF exposure that an anesthesiologist gets in the operating room. The density of the magnetic field was checked by an extremely low frequency (ELF) field strength measurement system in the 19 operating rooms of our hospital. We measured the magnetic field intensity at a distance of 30 cm, 50 cm, and at the place where the anesthesiologist usually stands from the center of the main monitor. The average exposure quantities of magnetic fields in 19 operating rooms were 2.22 +/- 1.13 mG at 30 cm, 1.29 +/- 0.84 mG at 50 cm and 1.00 +/- 0.78 mG at the anesthesiologist's standing points respectively. Because quantities over 2 or 3 mG were accepted to be high radiation levels of EMF by many reports describing the hazards of EMF, we set 2 mG to be the cutoff value. In some of the 19 operating rooms, the measured EMF density exceeded our cutoff value. Although the health hazards related to EMF exposure are still equivocal, anesthesiologists should consider making an effort to improve their environment and reduce their exposure to EMF.

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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
PopulationAnesthesiologists in operating rooms (hospital setting)
Sample size19
ExposureELF
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Magnetic field density measured in 19 operating rooms averaged 2.22 +/- 1.13 mG at 30 cm from the main monitor center, 1.29 +/- 0.84 mG at 50 cm, and 1.00 +/- 0.78 mG at the anesthesiologist's standing point. Using 2 mG as a cutoff for high exposure, some operating rooms exceeded this level.

Outcomes measured

  • Magnetic field density/intensity (mG) at specified distances/locations in operating rooms

Limitations

  • Health outcomes were not measured (exposure assessment only).
  • Cutoff value (2 mG) was based on prior reports and not justified within the study.
  • Frequency characteristics beyond 'ELF' were not reported.
  • Single-hospital setting may limit generalizability.
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "exposure_assessment",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "occupational (operating room electronic devices/monitor)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Anesthesiologists in operating rooms (hospital setting)",
  "sample_size": 19,
  "outcomes": [
    "Magnetic field density/intensity (mG) at specified distances/locations in operating rooms"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Magnetic field density measured in 19 operating rooms averaged 2.22 +/- 1.13 mG at 30 cm from the main monitor center, 1.29 +/- 0.84 mG at 50 cm, and 1.00 +/- 0.78 mG at the anesthesiologist's standing point. Using 2 mG as a cutoff for high exposure, some operating rooms exceeded this level.",
  "effect_direction": "unclear",
  "limitations": [
    "Health outcomes were not measured (exposure assessment only).",
    "Cutoff value (2 mG) was based on prior reports and not justified within the study.",
    "Frequency characteristics beyond 'ELF' were not reported.",
    "Single-hospital setting may limit generalizability."
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "electromagnetic fields",
    "ELF",
    "magnetic field density",
    "operating room",
    "anesthesiologist",
    "occupational exposure",
    "monitor"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Measures EMF exposure levels for anesthesiologists in operating rooms (workplace exposure assessment)."
    }
  ]
}
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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: 10.3349/ymj.2003.44.1.133
PubMed: 12619186

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