Speaker
Description
Characterising the health and safety hazards caused by exposure to a low frequency electromagnetic field (LF-EMF) in the work environment is a research priority (based mainly on the epidemiological 2B/IARC classification for the carcinogenic impact of long-term exposure, or managing electromagnetic hazards in compliance with relevant safety requirements). The aim was to test the applicability of the parameterisation of short-and long-term dynamics of workers’ exposure, using the results of time monitoring of the RMS (root-mean-square) value of a worker’s exposure to LF-EMF when evaluating safety and health hazards, or the applicability of reducing exposure. The parameters characterising the exposure of worker moving in the B-field exposed environment were analysed in well-controlled laboratory conditions and in the real work environment. The way of the worker moved near the source of continuous LF-EMF and the organisation of the worker’s activities there significantly modified the frequency composition of EMF exposure experienced by worker, when compared to EMF emitted from the source, without a significant modification of the descriptive statistics of the RMS value of the B-field recorded by a body-worn exposimeter. However, the parameters of short- and long-term exposure variability (dynamics) analysed using the Poincaré representation are sensitive to the analysed circumstances of the worker’s activity. It was confirmed that using parameters of short- and long-term dynamics of workers’ LF-EMF exposure, monitored by body-worn B-field RMS value data loggers, may significantly improve the relevance of the parameterisation of EMF hazards in real environments, as well as evaluations of the quality of work organisation.
