Occupational Exposures

Occupational Exposures to Radiofrequency Radiation

The Center for Construction Research and Training  in Maryland works to reduce or eliminate safety and health hazards that construction workers face on the job. They have compiled an abundance of useful information on the hazards for RF exposures as well as identifying RF exposures with different antenna. This is a great resource for information on cell antennae and FCC requirements.

Their Radiofrequency (RF) Radiation Awareness Guide for the Construction Industry is especially useful. https://www.cpwr.com/wp-content/uploads/publications/RF_Radiation_Awareness_Program_Guide_8_2016.pdf

Scientific Literature 

• Delayed-Onset multiphasic demyelinating lesions after high dose radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure: A multiple sclerosis (MS) mimic. (2020) Raefsky SM et al. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2020 Oct;45:102318. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32622299/
• The effect of vitamin E and C on comet assay indices and apoptosis in power plant workers: A double blind randomized controlled clinical trial. (2020)  Hosseinabadi M et al. Mutat Res. 2020 Feb – Mar;850-851:503150. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32247559/
• The Effects of Antioxidant Vitamins on Proinflammatory Cytokines and Some Biochemical Parameters of Power Plant Workers: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial. (2020)  Hosseinabadi MB. Bioelectromagnetics. 2020 Sep 15. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32931612/
• Radio frequency radiation-related cancer: assessing causation in the occupational/military setting. (2018) Peleg M et al. Environ Res.  2018 May;163:123-133. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29433020
• Effects of electromagnetic fields on serum lipids in workers of a power plant. (2016) Wang Z et al. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2016 Feb;23(3):2495-504. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26423285 
• Effects of electromagnetic fields exposure on plasma hormonal and inflammatory pathway biomarkers in male workers of a power plant. Wang Z1,2, Fei Y3,4, Liu H. et al.Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 2016 Jan;89(1):33-42. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25808749
• Effect of occupational EMF exposure from radar at two different frequency bands on plasma melatonin and serotonin levels.(2015)  Singh S1, Mani KV, Kapoor N.Int J Radiat Biol. 2015 May;91(5):426-34. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25565559
• Assessment of cytogenetic damage and oxidative stress in personnel occupationally exposed to the pulsed microwave radiation of marine radar equipment. Garaj-Vrhovac V et al. Int J Hyg Environ Health. 2011 Jan;214(1):59-65. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20833106
• Assessment of DNA sensitivity in peripheral blood leukocytes after occupational exposure to microwave radiation: the alkaline comet assay and chromatid breakage assay. Garaj-Vrhovac V1, Orescanin V. Cell Biol Toxicol. 2009 Feb;25(1):33-43. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18214694
• The alkaline Comet assay as biomarker in assessment of DNA damage in medical personnel occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation. Garaj-Vrhovac V1, Kopjar N. Mutagenesis. 2003 May;18(3):265-71. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12714692
• Effects of exposure to very high frequency radiofrequency radiation on six antenna engineers in two separate incidents. Schilling CJ. Occup Med (Lond). 2000 Jan;50(1):49-56. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10795393
• Association between occupational exposure to power frequency electromagnetic fields and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a review. (2003)Li CY et al. Am J Ind Med. 2003 Feb;43(2):212-20.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12541277/
• Exposure to electromagnetic fields and suicide among electric utility workers: A nested case-control study. (2000) Wijngaarden EV et al. West J Med. 2000 Aug; 173(2): 94–100.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1071010/
• Effects of acute exposure to ultrahigh radiofrequency radiation on three antenna engineers. Schilling CJ. Occup Environ Med. 1997 Apr;54(4):281-4.
• Overview of occupational exposure to electric and magnetic fields and cancer: advancements in exposure assessment.  (1995)Savitz DA. Environ Health Perspect. 995 Mar;103 Suppl 2(Suppl 2):69-74.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7614951/
• Increased mortality in amateur radio operators due to lymphatic and hematopoietic malignancies. (1988) Milham S. Am J Epidemiol. 1988 Jan;127(1):50-4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3422125

Occupational Exposures in Hospitals and Medical Clinics

• Non-Ionizing Radiation in Swedish Health Care-Exposure and Safety Aspects. (2019)  Hansson Mild K et al. Int J Environ REs Public Health. 2019 Apr 2;16(7). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30987016
• Evaluation of the electromagnetic field intensity in operating rooms and estimation of occupational exposures of personnel. (2018)  Sept;10(3):121-126.Interv Med Appl Sci. 2018 Sep;10(3):121-126. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30713749
• Environmental impact of the use of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields in physiotherapeutic treatment.(2014)  Gryz  K. Rocz Panstw Kakl Hig. 2014;65(1):55-61. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24964580
• [Patient exposure to electromagnetic fields in magnetic resonance scanners: a review]. (2013) Radiologia. 2013 Dec;55 Suppl 2:2-8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24246885
• Assessment of physiotherapists’ occupational exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields from shortwave and microwave diathermy devices: a literature review. (2013) Shah SG.  J Occup Environ Hyg. 2013;10(6):312-27. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23570423
• [European Directive 2004/40/EC on workers’ exposure to electromagnetic fields from MRI]. (2009) Moratal D et al. Radiologia. 2009 Jan-Feb;51(1):30-7; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19303478
• Intensity of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields produced in operating rooms during surgery at the standing position of anesthesiologists. (2009) Roh JH et al.  Anesthesiology. (2009) Aug;111(2):275-8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19568164
• An evaluation of safety guidelines to restrict exposure to stray radiofrequency radiation from short-wave diathermy units. (2004)Shields N et al. Phys Med Biol. 004 Jul 7;49(13):2999-3015. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15285261
• How much are anesthesiologists exposed to electromagnetic fields in operating rooms? (2003) Lee JH et al. Yonsei Med J. 2003 Feb;44(1):133-7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12619186
• Assessment of exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic fields from smart utility meters in GB; part II) numerical assessment of induced SAR within the human body. (2018) Quresho MRA et al. Bioelectromagnetics.  2018 Apr;39(3):200-216.