Light and magnetic fields in a neonatal intensive care unit.

Bioelectromagnetics · 1996 · Unclear · Insufficient evidence

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UnclearInsufficient evidencePaper 5432

Daytime and nighttime illuminance averaged 184 and 34 lux, respectively (maximum 747 lux). Magnetic field levels were highly variable, exceeding 1,000 mG close to certain hospital equipment, averaging 1–2 mG at the nurses' workstation, and exceeding 10 mG wit…

Study snapshot

PublicationBioelectromagnetics · 1996

Study typeexposure_assessment

Reported directionUnclear

Evidence ratingInsufficient

Abstract

Effects of light and electromagnetic fields (EMFs) on pineal function could have implications for long-term risk of breast cancer, reproductive irregularities, or depression. Health-care workers in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) were interviewed to determine the tasks, work locations, and practices in their work environment as well as the care provided to the infants. After an initial visit, methods for measuring illuminance, luminance, and broadband resultant magnetic fields throughout the NICU were developed. Measurements were made of one nursery during a daytime (1:00 p.m.) and a night-time (12:30 a.m.) visit. Measurements relevant to both nurses and premature infants in the NICU were made. Some measurements could not be completed so as not to interfere with nurses' duties in the NICU. Illuminances measured during the daytime and nighttime averaged 184 and 34 lux (lx), respectively, much lower than those reported in other studies of illuminance in NICUs, with a maximum illuminance of 747 lx. Peak levels may be consistent with those thought to suppress melatonin. There was a high degree of variability in EMF levels, which exceeded 1,000 mG close to certain hospital equipment but averaged 1-2 mG at the nurses' workstation. Fields within incubators exceeded 10 mG.

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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

PopulationHealth-care workers (nurses) and premature infants in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureNot supplied

Evidence strengthInsufficientConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Illuminance (lux)
Luminance
Broadband resultant magnetic field levels (mG)

Limitations

Measurements were made in one nursery during one daytime and one nighttime visit
Some measurements could not be completed to avoid interfering with nurses' duties
No health outcomes were measured (exposure characterization only)

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "exposure_assessment",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "occupational",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Health-care workers (nurses) and premature infants in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Illuminance (lux)",
    "Luminance",
    "Broadband resultant magnetic field levels (mG)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Daytime and nighttime illuminance averaged 184 and 34 lux, respectively (maximum 747 lux). Magnetic field levels were highly variable, exceeding 1,000 mG close to certain hospital equipment, averaging 1–2 mG at the nurses' workstation, and exceeding 10 mG within incubators.",
  "effect_direction": "unclear",
  "limitations": [
    "Measurements were made in one nursery during one daytime and one nighttime visit",
    "Some measurements could not be completed to avoid interfering with nurses' duties",
    "No health outcomes were measured (exposure characterization only)"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "neonatal intensive care unit",
    "NICU",
    "illuminance",
    "luminance",
    "magnetic fields",
    "broadband resultant magnetic fields",
    "incubator",
    "hospital equipment",
    "occupational exposure",
    "melatonin suppression"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.86,
      "reason": "Assesses magnetic field and light exposures relevant to health-care workers in a NICU."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.1002/(sici)1521-186x(1996)17:5<396::aid-bem7>3.0.co;2-z
PubMed: 8915549

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