Evaluation of Electromagnetic Field Exposures at a Research Institution’s Laboratories and Atomic Time Radio Stations – Colorado

Details

• Personal Author:
  Conover, David L. ; Fent, Kenneth W.
• Corporate Authors:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Description:
  In June 2009, NIOSH received a health hazard evaluation request from a research institution in Colorado. The request concerned sub-RF (below 30 kHz) and RF (30 kHz to 300 GHz) EMF exposures at the institution's laboratories and atomic time radio stations. The radio stations were located at a remote site in Colorado separate from the laboratories. In response to this request, we evaluated the facilities on August 31-September 3, 2009, and August 3-5, 2010. During the first evaluation, magnetic flux density (B) fields near or above OELs were measured in the magnetic annealing laboratory and superconducting magnet laboratory. Electric (E) field strengths above OELs were measured at the interoperability communications laboratory. Measurements taken at the atomic time radio stations demonstrated a potential for overexposure to RF. However, because the RF meter we used did not span all broadcasted frequencies and potentially perturbed fields, we planned another evaluation of the atomic time radio stations using appropriate instrumentation in 2010. During this second evaluation, we measured E and magnetic (H) field strengths at the atomic time radio stations. E-field strengths exceeded the action levels along the access roads leading to the helix houses within 700 feet of the LF north and south antennas. E- and H-field strengths exceeded the action levels at locations along the access road circling the HF antennas. E- and H-field strengths exceeded OELs within 30 feet of the 10- and 15-MHz antennas. Because EMF field strengths exceeded OELs or action levels in some locations at the research institution, we recommended implementing a comprehensive EMF safety program. This program should be managed by an EMF safety officer. The EMF safety officer should maintain an inventory of EMF sources, conduct annual EMF safety awareness training, audit the EMF safety program annually, and install signage and other controls in areas where field strengths are likely to exceed OELs or action levels. In addition, a system should exist for employees to report EMF exposures incidents and provide feedback to the EMF safety officer.
• Subjects:
  Electromagnetic Fields Occupational Health Radiation Safety
• Keywords:
  Antenna Electromagnetic Energy Electromagnetic Field Electromagnetic Fields Electromagnetic Radiation EMF Radiation Exposure Radio Frequency Radiofrequency Radiation Radio Station Research And Development In The Physical, Engineering, And Life Sciences Superconducting Magnet

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• Source:
  Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, HETA 2009-0171-3119, 2011 Mar ; :1-37
• Series:
  Health Hazard Evaluation Reports (HHE)
• Subseries:
  Health Evaluation and Technical Assistance (HETA)
• DOI:
  https://doi.org/10.26616/NIOSHHETA200901713119
• Publisher:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Field Study
• Place as Subject:
  Colorado ; OSHA Region 8
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  DSHEFS - Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  44 pdf pages
• Contributor:
  Bowman, Joseph ; Couch, James ; Evans, Stefanie M. ; Galloway, Ellen ; Smith, Robin
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20038503
• NTIS Accession Number:
  PB2011-107519
• Citation:
  NIOSH [2011]. Health hazard evaluation report: evaluation of electromagnetic field ; exposures at a research institution’s laboratories and atomic time radio stations ; – Colorado. By Fent KW and Conover D. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of ; Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National ; Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, NIOSH HETA No. 2009-0171-3119,
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2011
• NORA Priority Area:
  Services
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• NAICS and SIC Codes:
  541712 - Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology) - (NAICS)
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:da00d4ce1f5fab31f3d0647c2f7c64048bea8701cf7413ec91ce413f01a4a26432c637b076ad697855ea22b0577bd91843fbb62b877be1ceec1b84a0f2a15aed
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/172517/cdc_172517_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 1.06 MB ]