Occupational Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields at Radio Transmitter Sites

Exposures to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields and radiation have been assessed in order to investigate the range of exposures encountered by workers in the broadcast, telecommunications and air traffic control industries. The strengths of electric and magnetic fields have been measured at a number of sites transmitting a broad range of frequencies. Equipment has been developed and employed for measuring and recording parameters associated with radiofrequency exposure. A meter for measuring radiofrequency limb current was developed and two generations of a data logger were produced. The data loggers were designed to record measurements of electric and magnetic field strength when used in conjunction with a commercially available personal exposure monitor. The combined monitor and logger resulted in an instrument with potential for use in epidemiological studies of occupational exposure to radiofrequency fields. The response of the personal exposure monitor to incident fields when worn on the body has been investigated theoretically. Inter-comparisons of body-worn and hand-held instrumentation have been conducted at different types of transmitter site.

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