EXPOSURE TO EXTREMELY LOW FREQUENCY ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS DURING LESSONS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS.

EXPOSURE TO EXTREMELY LOW FREQUENCY ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS DURING LESSONS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS.

Radiat Prot Dosimetry. 2017 Dec 05;:1-5

Authors: Silangam W, Yoosook W, Kongtip P, Kongtawelert A, Theppeang K

Abstract
Schools are a significant location where children are exposed to electromagnetic fields (EMFs), which may cause adverse health effects. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine exposure levels to extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MFs) with a range of 5 Hz-32 kHz, and ELF-electric fields (ELF-EFs) with a range of 5 Hz-2 kHz in secondary schools in Bangkok, Thailand. This study was conducted in 60 classrooms from three schools during class hours. Spot measurements were taken with a Narda EFA 300 field analyzer to evaluate exposure levels. This study showed that ELF-EMF exposure levels are lower than ICNIRP guidelines, while 21.67% of classrooms had a magnetic field strength above 0.2 μT, and the main sources of ELF-EMFs were electrical equipment and electrical wiring. Future studies should measure ELF-EMF levels in other areas and evaluate the effects of long term exposure to ELF-EMFs on children's health.

PMID: 29216404 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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