Exposure of the critically ill patient to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields in the intensive care environment.

Intensive care medicine · 1999 · Unclear · Insufficient evidence

← Research stream

UnclearInsufficient evidencePaper 5368

AC 50 Hz magnetic flux density around ICU devices was non-uniform, with higher values (up to 40 microT) close to fan motors and mains supply. In 83% of patients, field intensity at the patient’s head exceeded 0.20 microT (stated safety limit).

Study snapshot

PublicationIntensive care medicine · 1999

Study typeexposure_assessment

Reported directionUnclear

Evidence ratingInsufficient

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To measure the electromagnetic emission of intensive care medical equipment, in order to assess whether a potentially dangerous magnetic flux is present around the patient, and to evaluate the exposure conditions of the patient to extremely-low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF EMF). DESIGN: Descriptive study. SETTING: Intensive care unit (ICU) at a general hospital. MEASUREMENT AND RESULTS: The flux density of alternating (AC) 50-H2, EMF was measured and mapped around electrical devices in a six-beds adult ICU furnished with standard equipment (ventilator, monitor, infusion pumps, heated airbed, humidifier). The overall flux density in the patient area was assessed by measuring the field intensity at the patient's head during the day and at night over 6 days. The magnetic flux density was not uniformly distributed around each device, being higher [up to 40 microTesla (microT)] close to fan motors and mains supply. In 83 % of the patients a field intensity > 0.20 microT (safety limit) was detected. CONCLUSIONS: The ICU environment is at risk from electromagnetic pollution, the long-term stay of chronic patients and their "day-long" exposure are additional risk factors. EMFs drop off as the distance from the equipment is increased, according to the inverse-square law, and the exposure risk may be minimized by keeping a safety distance from the EMF source. The actual value of that safety distance may be variable and depends on several factors: (1) type of equipment, (2) orientation of equipment, (3) equipment "overcrowding" and (4) available space in each bed space. The magnetic flux density should be monitored regularly in every ICU for the specific design of each unit.

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

PopulationCritically ill adult ICU patients in a six-bed ICU

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF · day and night measurements over 6 days

Evidence strengthInsufficientConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Magnetic flux density (microTesla) of 50 Hz AC electromagnetic fields around ICU equipment and at patient head
Proportion of patients with field intensity >0.20 microT (stated safety limit)

Limitations

Descriptive study; no health outcomes assessed
Sample size not reported in abstract
Safety limit referenced (0.20 microT) without source or justification in abstract
Single ICU setting; generalizability unclear

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "exposure_assessment",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "occupational",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "day and night measurements over 6 days"
  },
  "population": "Critically ill adult ICU patients in a six-bed ICU",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Magnetic flux density (microTesla) of 50 Hz AC electromagnetic fields around ICU equipment and at patient head",
    "Proportion of patients with field intensity >0.20 microT (stated safety limit)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "AC 50 Hz magnetic flux density around ICU devices was non-uniform, with higher values (up to 40 microT) close to fan motors and mains supply. In 83% of patients, field intensity at the patient’s head exceeded 0.20 microT (stated safety limit).",
  "effect_direction": "unclear",
  "limitations": [
    "Descriptive study; no health outcomes assessed",
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "Safety limit referenced (0.20 microT) without source or justification in abstract",
    "Single ICU setting; generalizability unclear"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "extremely low-frequency",
    "ELF EMF",
    "50 Hz",
    "intensive care unit",
    "ICU equipment",
    "magnetic flux density",
    "exposure mapping",
    "microTesla"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.6,
      "reason": "Measures ELF magnetic field exposure conditions in an ICU environment around medical equipment."
    }
  ]
}

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: 10.1007/s001340050963
PubMed: 10447544

Read the original paper →

Related papers

← Back to the Research Library