Walk-through survey report on rf radiation exposures from heat sealers at Holum and Sons, Inc. , 740 Burr Oak Drive, Westmont, Illinois 60559

On June 25, 1979, NIOSH conducted a walk-through survey of the RF heat sealing area at Holum and Sons, Inc., in Westmont, Illinois. The purpose of the study was to identify a population of workers which could be used in a study to determine if any health effects are associated with occupational exposures to radiofrequency radiation. Electric fields produced by the RF heat sealers were measured to document exposure levels. The electric field strength levels exceeded 200 V/M (duty cycle corrected) on two of the six heat sealers evaluated. Confounding exposures were assessed and appear not to be a factor. Personnel record systems were evaluated as to their suitability for use in a study of reproductive histories. It appears from the personnel records that an appropriate cohort of RF heat sealer workers and a corresponding control group cannot be identified, therefore, Holum and Sons, Inc., will not be included in the NIOSH study.