Assessment of combined exposure to intermediate-frequency electromagnetic fields and pulsed electromagnetic fields among library workers in Japan
ObjectiveTo assess exposure levels to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) among library workers in Japan, focusing on co-exposure to intermediate-frequency EMF (IF-EMF) and pulsed EMF, to propose a new epidemiological research methodology.MethodsThe evaluated exposure sources were an electromagnetic type-...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2022-07-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2022.870784/full |
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| author | Sachiko Yamaguchi-Sekino Masao Taki Masao Taki Miwa Ikuyo Miwa Ikuyo Kaoru Esaki Kaoru Esaki Atsuko Aimoto Kanako Wake Noriko Kojimahara |
| author_facet | Sachiko Yamaguchi-Sekino Masao Taki Masao Taki Miwa Ikuyo Miwa Ikuyo Kaoru Esaki Kaoru Esaki Atsuko Aimoto Kanako Wake Noriko Kojimahara |
| author_sort | Sachiko Yamaguchi-Sekino |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | ObjectiveTo assess exposure levels to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) among library workers in Japan, focusing on co-exposure to intermediate-frequency EMF (IF-EMF) and pulsed EMF, to propose a new epidemiological research methodology.MethodsThe evaluated exposure sources were an electromagnetic type-electronic article surveillance gate (EM-EAS, IF-EMF (operating frequency 220 Hz-14 kHz)) and an activator/deactivator of anti-theft tags termed as “book check unit” (BCU, pulsed EMF). Short-term exposures were: (E1) whole-body exposure from the EAS gate when sitting within 3 m; (E2) local exposure to transient IF-EMF while passing through or beside the EAS gate; and (E3) local exposure to a pulsed magnetic field on BCU use. E1–E3 were evaluated based on exposure levels relative to magnetic flux density at the occupational reference level (RL; E1) or as per occupational basic restrictions (BR; E2 and E3) delineated by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) 2010 guidelines. Exposure indices based on mid-term exposure (D1–D3), assuming exposure according to employment on a weekly basis, were used to assess exposure in actual working conditions. D1 represents continuous exposure from an EAS gate when sitting within 3 m of the gate. D2 and D3 represent repeated transient exposures occurring during gate pass or on the operation of a BCU. A link to a web-based questionnaire was distributed to librarians working at all libraries where the authors had mailed institutional questionnaires (4,073 libraries). Four exposure patterns were defined according to various exposure scenarios.ResultsWe obtained information on exposure parameters and working conditions from the 548 completed questionnaires. The ICNIRP guideline levels were not exceeded in any of the E1–E3 scenarios. Median of the D1 (% ICNIRP RL × hour/week) was 1, and >85% respondents had values <10. However, the maximum value was 513. Altogether, these results indicate that continuous exposure was low in most cases. The same tendency was observed regarding repeated transient exposure from EM-EAS gates (i.e., the median value for D2 (% ICNIRP BR × gate pass) was 5). However, there were several cases in which D1 and D2 values were >10 times the median. The median of D3 (% ICNIRP BR × BCU operation) was 10, and most respondents' D3 values were greater than their D2 values, although the derived results depended on the assumptions made for the estimation.ConclusionWe conducted an assessment of combined exposures to IF-EMF and pulsed EMF among library workers in Japan by evaluating both short-term exposures (E1–E3) and exposure indices based on mid-term exposures (D1–D3) assuming actual working conditions per questionnaire results. These results provide useful information for future epidemiological studies. |
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| id | doaj.art-befa7747b9fa43c79e2197697bf3cade |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2296-2565 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-10T17:48:47Z |
| publishDate | 2022-07-01 |
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| series | Frontiers in Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-befa7747b9fa43c79e2197697bf3cade2022-12-22T01:39:08ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652022-07-011010.3389/fpubh.2022.870784870784Assessment of combined exposure to intermediate-frequency electromagnetic fields and pulsed electromagnetic fields among library workers in JapanSachiko Yamaguchi-Sekino0Masao Taki1Masao Taki2Miwa Ikuyo3Miwa Ikuyo4Kaoru Esaki5Kaoru Esaki6Atsuko Aimoto7Kanako Wake8Noriko Kojimahara9Work Environment Research Group, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, Kawasaki, JapanDepartment of Systems Design, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Hachioji, JapanElectromagnetic Compatibility Laboratory, National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, Koganei, JapanDepartment of Systems Design, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Hachioji, JapanElectromagnetic Compatibility Laboratory, National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, Koganei, JapanDepartment of Systems Design, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Hachioji, JapanElectromagnetic Compatibility Laboratory, National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, Koganei, JapanDepartment of Systems Design, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Hachioji, JapanStrategic Planning Office, National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, Koganei, JapanDepartment of Epidemiology, Shizuoka Graduate University of Public Health, Shizuoka, JapanObjectiveTo assess exposure levels to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) among library workers in Japan, focusing on co-exposure to intermediate-frequency EMF (IF-EMF) and pulsed EMF, to propose a new epidemiological research methodology.MethodsThe evaluated exposure sources were an electromagnetic type-electronic article surveillance gate (EM-EAS, IF-EMF (operating frequency 220 Hz-14 kHz)) and an activator/deactivator of anti-theft tags termed as “book check unit” (BCU, pulsed EMF). Short-term exposures were: (E1) whole-body exposure from the EAS gate when sitting within 3 m; (E2) local exposure to transient IF-EMF while passing through or beside the EAS gate; and (E3) local exposure to a pulsed magnetic field on BCU use. E1–E3 were evaluated based on exposure levels relative to magnetic flux density at the occupational reference level (RL; E1) or as per occupational basic restrictions (BR; E2 and E3) delineated by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) 2010 guidelines. Exposure indices based on mid-term exposure (D1–D3), assuming exposure according to employment on a weekly basis, were used to assess exposure in actual working conditions. D1 represents continuous exposure from an EAS gate when sitting within 3 m of the gate. D2 and D3 represent repeated transient exposures occurring during gate pass or on the operation of a BCU. A link to a web-based questionnaire was distributed to librarians working at all libraries where the authors had mailed institutional questionnaires (4,073 libraries). Four exposure patterns were defined according to various exposure scenarios.ResultsWe obtained information on exposure parameters and working conditions from the 548 completed questionnaires. The ICNIRP guideline levels were not exceeded in any of the E1–E3 scenarios. Median of the D1 (% ICNIRP RL × hour/week) was 1, and >85% respondents had values <10. However, the maximum value was 513. Altogether, these results indicate that continuous exposure was low in most cases. The same tendency was observed regarding repeated transient exposure from EM-EAS gates (i.e., the median value for D2 (% ICNIRP BR × gate pass) was 5). However, there were several cases in which D1 and D2 values were >10 times the median. The median of D3 (% ICNIRP BR × BCU operation) was 10, and most respondents' D3 values were greater than their D2 values, although the derived results depended on the assumptions made for the estimation.ConclusionWe conducted an assessment of combined exposures to IF-EMF and pulsed EMF among library workers in Japan by evaluating both short-term exposures (E1–E3) and exposure indices based on mid-term exposures (D1–D3) assuming actual working conditions per questionnaire results. These results provide useful information for future epidemiological studies.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2022.870784/fullEASIF-EMFlibrary workersoccupational exposurepulsed EMF |
| spellingShingle | Sachiko Yamaguchi-Sekino Masao Taki Masao Taki Miwa Ikuyo Miwa Ikuyo Kaoru Esaki Kaoru Esaki Atsuko Aimoto Kanako Wake Noriko Kojimahara Assessment of combined exposure to intermediate-frequency electromagnetic fields and pulsed electromagnetic fields among library workers in Japan Frontiers in Public Health EAS IF-EMF library workers occupational exposure pulsed EMF |
| title | Assessment of combined exposure to intermediate-frequency electromagnetic fields and pulsed electromagnetic fields among library workers in Japan |
| title_full | Assessment of combined exposure to intermediate-frequency electromagnetic fields and pulsed electromagnetic fields among library workers in Japan |
| title_fullStr | Assessment of combined exposure to intermediate-frequency electromagnetic fields and pulsed electromagnetic fields among library workers in Japan |
| title_full_unstemmed | Assessment of combined exposure to intermediate-frequency electromagnetic fields and pulsed electromagnetic fields among library workers in Japan |
| title_short | Assessment of combined exposure to intermediate-frequency electromagnetic fields and pulsed electromagnetic fields among library workers in Japan |
| title_sort | assessment of combined exposure to intermediate frequency electromagnetic fields and pulsed electromagnetic fields among library workers in japan |
| topic | EAS IF-EMF library workers occupational exposure pulsed EMF |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2022.870784/full |
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