[Occupational exposure to electromagnetic fields in physiotherapy departments]

G Ital Med Lav Ergon. 2002 Oct-Dec;24(4):444-6.
[Article in Italian]

Abstract

An assessment of the electromagnetic fields emitted from short and ultrashort wave diathermy sources and from magneto therapy operating at a frequency of 50 Hz was made to evaluate the occupational exposure to the operators. Operators were exposed to electromagnetic fields which rarely exceed the recommended limits of International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) and American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). Only a measurement of electromagnetic fields near short wave diathermy equipment operating at a frequency of 27.12 MHz exposed operators to levels above those recommended by ICNIRP at a distance of 1 metre. Magnetic fields of magneto therapy exceeded residential exposition of 1 microtesla, at a distance of 4 metres.

MeSH terms

  • Diathermy / instrumentation
  • Electromagnetic Fields / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Occupational Exposure / adverse effects*
  • Personnel, Hospital*
  • Physical Therapy Department, Hospital*
  • Radiation Monitoring
  • Workforce