Skip to main content

Risk Assessment of Human Exposure to Low Frequency Fields

  • Chapter
Radiofrequency Radiation Standards

Part of the book series: NATO ASI Series ((NSSA,volume 274))

  • 233 Accesses

Abstract

Although several epidemiological studies suggest a weak association between the exposure to extremely low-frequency (ELF) fields and an increase in various kinds of cancer, a final risk assessment of long-term continuous exposure to ELF fields is so far not possible. It has not been proven definitely, that the electric and especially magnetic ELF fields occurring at working places or in every-day life are mutagenic or carcinogenic. The main critical points are those concerning statistical evaluation, insufficient determination of the field strength during exposure, dose-effect relationships, inadequate demarcation of concomitant factors, and — as one of the most important points — the absence of known interaction mechanisms. Final clarification of the question of possible late effects requires further elucidation. The non-stochastic ELF field effects, therefore, are of major importance when deriving standards are given priority.1

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. International Radiation Protection Association/International Non-Ionizing Radiation Committee. Interim guidelines on limits of exposure to 50/60 Hz electric and magnetic fields, Health Phys 58:113–122 (1990).

    Google Scholar 

  2. J.H. Bernhardt. The direct influence of electromagnetic fields on nerve and muscle cells of man within the frequency range of 1 Hz to 30 MHz, Radiat Environ. Biophys 16: 309–23 (1979).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. World Health Organization. Environmental Health Criteria 69: Magnetic fields. WHO, Geneva (1987).

    Google Scholar 

  4. E. Postow and M.L. Swicord. Modulated fields and “window” effects, in: CRC Handbook of Biological Effects of Electromagnetic Fields, C. Polk and E. Postow, eds., Boca Raton, Florida, CRC Press, pp. 425 (1986).

    Google Scholar 

  5. Z.J. Sienkiewicz, R.D. Saunders, C.I. Kowalczuk. Biological Effects of Exposure to Non-ionizing Electromagnetic Fields and Radiation: II Extremely Low Frequency Electric and Magnetic fields. Chilton, NRPB-R239, London HMSO (1991).

    Google Scholar 

  6. J.H. Bernhardt. The establishment of frequency dependent limits for electric and magnetic fields and evaluation of indirect effects, Radiat. Environ. Biophys. 27:1–27 (1988).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. R. Sander, J. Brinkmann, B. Kuehne. Laboratory studies on animals and human beings exposed to 50 Hz electric and magnetic fields. International Conference on Large High Voltage Electric Systems. Paris, September 1982, Cigre No. 36 (1982).

    Google Scholar 

  8. International Radiation Protection Association/International Non-Ionizing Radiation Commitee, Guidelines on limits of exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields in the frequency range from 100 kHz to 300 GHz, Health Phys. 54:1154–23 (1988).

    Google Scholar 

  9. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers: Working Group on Electrostatic and Electromagnetic Effects. Electric and magnetic field coupling from high voltage AC power transmission lines — classification of short-term effects on people, IEEE Trans. Power Appar. Syst. 97: 2243–2252 (1978).

    Google Scholar 

  10. L.E. Zaffanella and D.W. Deno. Electrostatic and Electromagnetic Effects of Ultra-high-voltage Transmission Lines. Palo Alto, CA: Electric Power Research Institute, Final report, EPRI EL-802 (1978).

    Google Scholar 

  11. World Health Organization. Envrionmental health criteria 35: Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) fields. WHO, Geneva (1984).

    Google Scholar 

  12. World Health Organization. Environmental health criteria 137: Electromagnetic Fields (300 Hz-300 GHz). WHO, Geneva (1993).

    Google Scholar 

  13. S.G. Allen, J.H. Bernhardt, C.M.H. Driscoll, M. Grandolfo, G.F. Mariutti, R. Matthes, A.F. McKinlay, M. Steinmetz, P. Vecchia, M. Whillock. Proposals for basic restrictions for protection against occupational exposure to electromagnetic non-ionizing radiations. Recommendations of an International Working Group set up under the auspices of the Commission of the European Communities, Physica Medica VII, No. 2: 77–89 (1971).

    Google Scholar 

  14. P.J. Dimbylow, Finite difference calculations of current densities in a homogeneous model of a man exposed to extremely low frequency electric fields, Bioelectromagnetics 8:355–73 (1987).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. W.T. Kaune, W.C. Forsythe, Current densities measured in human models exposed to 60 Hz electric fields Bioelectromagnetics, 6:13–22 (1985).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. T.S. Tenforde, W.T. Kaune, Interaction of extremely low frequency electric and magnetic fields with humans, Health Phys. 53:595–606 (1987).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. German Draft Standard, DIN VDE 0848, Part 2: Safety in electromagnetic fields; Protection of persons in the frequency range from 30 kHz to 300 GHz. Berlin, Beuth Verlag (in German) October (1991).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1995 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Bernhardt, J.H. (1995). Risk Assessment of Human Exposure to Low Frequency Fields. In: Klauenberg, B.J., Grandolfo, M., Erwin, D.N. (eds) Radiofrequency Radiation Standards. NATO ASI Series, vol 274. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-0945-9_11

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-0945-9_11

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4899-0947-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4899-0945-9

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics