A source-based measurement database for occupational exposure assessment of electromagnetic fields in the INTEROCC study: a literature review approach

Details

• Personal Author:
  Bowman, Joseph D. ; Cardis E ; Conover, David L. ; Kincl, Laurel ; Mann S ; McLean D ; Richardson L ; van Tongeren M ; Vecchia P ; Vila J
• Description:
  Introduction: To date, occupational exposure assessment of electromagnetic fields (EMF) has relied on occupation-based measurements and exposure estimates. However, misclassification due to between-worker variability remains an unsolved challenge. A source-based approach, supported by detailed subject data on determinants of exposure, may allow for a more individualized exposure assessment. Detailed information on the use of occupational sources of exposure to EMF was collected as part of the INTERPHONE-INTEROCC study. To support a source-based exposure assessment effort within this study, this work aimed to construct a measurement database for the occupational sources of EMF exposure identified, assembling available measurements from the scientific literature. Methods: First, a comprehensive literature search was performed for published and unpublished documents containing exposure measurements for the EMF sources identified, a priori as well as from answers of study subjects. Then, the measurements identified were assessed for quality and relevance to the study objectives. Finally, the measurements selected and complementary information were compiled into an Occupational Exposure Measurement Database (OEMD). Results: Currently, the OEMD contains 1624 sets of measurements (>3000 entries) for 285 sources of EMF exposure, organized by frequency band (0 Hz to 300 GHz) and dosimetry type. Ninety-five documents were selected from the literature (almost 35% of them are unpublished technical reports), containing measurements which were considered informative and valid for our purpose. Measurement data and complementary information collected from these documents came from 16 different countries and cover the time period between 1974 and 2013. Conclusion: We have constructed a database with measurements and complementary information for the most common sources of exposure to EMF in the workplace, based on the responses to the INTERPHONE-INTEROCC study questionnaire. This database covers the entire EMF frequency range and represents the most comprehensive resource of information on occupational EMF exposure. Corrigendum - Ann Occup Hyg 2020 Oct; 64(8):910; Ann Occup Hyg 2016 Mar; 60(2):184-204. Correction text: In the original article, an important funding source was omitted. This has now been added to the online version of the article: This work was also funded by the European Commission grant 603794 (GERoNiMO project). [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Electricity Electromagnetic Phenomena Environmental Monitoring Occupational Exposure Occupational Health Quality Control Radiation Dosimeters Safety Surveys And Questionnaires
• Keywords:
  Analytical-processes Author Keywords: Electromagnetic Fields Data-processing Dosimetry Electrical-measurement Electromagnetic-energy Electromagnetic-fields EMF Sources Emission-sources Exposure-assessment Exposure Database Information-processing Information-retrieval-systems Information-systems Literature Review Occupational-exposure Quality-standards Questionnaires

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• ISSN:
  0003-4878
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Ohio ; Oregon ; OSHA Region 10 ; OSHA Region 5
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  DART - Division of Applied Research and Technology
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  184-204
• Volume:
  60
• Issue:
  2
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20046988
• Citation:
  Ann Occup Hyg 2016 Mar; 60(2):184-204
• Contact Point Address:
  Javier Vila, Center for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL), Barcelona, Spain
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2016
• NORA Priority Area:
  Manufacturing ; Services
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Source Full Name:
  Annals of Occupational Hygiene
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:e8e8364aeac8cfbd7e3916ae761608861df3738f1909d9890e363d593a97359190b37cbc75c16ff26ac1266c48382bb9ad67205372ea749542374031609d79b4
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/202232/cdc_202232_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 1.94 MB ]