CC BY
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Health sciences
_BULLETIN OF MEDICAL SCIENCE 4 (12) 2018
UDC 613.647:537.87
HYGIENIC ASSESSMENT OF RISK OF EXPOSURE TO ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS OF RADIO-FREQUENCY RANGE
Altai State Medical University, Barnaul
B.A. Balandovich, N.Yu. Potseluev, A.A. Krasikov, N.Yu. Tulin, A.S. Nagornyak, A.P. Pashkov, O.V. Zhukova, S.P. Filippova, O.I. Shved, K.V. Shults
The article presents methodological approaches to assessing the risk of exposure to electromagnetic fields of the radio frequency range on various groups of the Altai Krai population. The risk was assessed according to the results of laboratory and instrumental measurements of the energy flux density from 21 radio engineering facilities located in 4 cities and 10 rural districts of Altai Krai. The risk of exposure to electromagnetic radiation during the implementation of the surveyed transmitting radio objects does not exceed permissible levels. At the same time, the presented results show the risk of exposure to only a small part of the electromagnetic spectrum of the radio frequency range and require additional studies aimed at clarifying the negative effects of various types of electromagnetic radiation.
Key words: electromagnetic field, transmitting radio object, energy flux density, radio frequency range, risk of exposure.
Currently, a risk-based approach takes a leading place in assessing the negative impact of the environment on human health. The effects of chemical and biological factors are sufficiently studied scientifically and hygienically due to their determinism with respect to the human body, while physical factors are of particular interest due to the lack of specific sensory organs and signaling systems of the body for some of them in their indexing. One of the leading physical risk factors are electromagnetic fields (EMF) as a special form of matter, through which the interaction between electrically charged particles takes place. Modern studies show that different frequency ranges of non-ionizing electromagnetic oscillations have a diverse nature of the impact on the physiological processes in the body. In particular, it was found that at a frequency of 8.6 Hz, the most negative effect on lymphocytes of healthy donors is observed, and the most favorable is the frequency of EMF corresponding to the frequency of the natural electromagnetic field of the Earth (7.8 Hz), which is confirmed for lymphocytes isolated from the blood of patients with congenital malformations [1, 2]. In children who overuse their gadgets, the processes of memorizing and reproducing information, sleep, psycho-emotional state are disturbed [3, 4]. The level of anxiety increases, there may also be a delay in sexual development and a tendency to frequent cold-related diseases. It has been proven, that organs and systems critical for electromagnetic radiation (EMR) are the central nervous system, organs of vision, hematopoietic system and genital glands [5]. Significant effects of electromagnetic radiation on animals' nervous systems were detected in the experiment with a characteristic transient decrease in learning ability in the maze and in the "abolition reaction", a violation of the process of consolidation of the skill
in long-term memory, changes in the structure of locomotor behavior, increased reactivity to narcotic substances. The nonlinear relationship of the central nervous system reactions with the intensity of electromagnetic radiation was established [6, 7, 8]. In addition, the frequency-energy ranges were determined, within which the negative effect of non-ionizing radiation is most pronounced [9, 10]. Experimental studies of electromagnetic fields in the operation of laptops revealed an excess in the microwave area in 25% of cases.
A separate problem is the risk assessment of electromagnetic fields from transmitting radiotechnical objects (TRTO). The most common frequency range in their operation is the frequency range from 0.7 GHz to 3.6 GHz (or ultra high and extra high frequencies of the radio frequency range), the nature of which affects on the human body is characterized by a number of absorption maxima, in which the body "pulls" into itself an electromagnetic field and absorbs more energy than falls on its cross section. It should be noted, that for a human, the conditions for the occurrence of absorption maxima in the head (with the risk of carcinogenesis) occur at frequencies of 0.75-2.5 GHz [17].
Of particular importance is mathematical multivariate modeling based on the analysis of anthropogenic electromagnetic load on the environment, taking into account the systematization of data on the health status of the population, demographic situation, oncological morbidity of the population of the region, which makes it possible to model the ecological and hygienic situation, as well as to differentiate the risk of negative impact of electromagnetic radiation [11, 12, 13].
Thus, it is of great interest for specialists in the field of preventive medicine to study the possible risks to public health from transmitting radiotechnical objects [14, 15, 16].
Materials and methods
Studies of the electromagnetic fields of the radio frequency range from transmitting radio objects were carried out by the research team of the Institute of Occupational Health and Industrial Ecology of the Altai State Medical University together with the Department of Hygiene, Fundamentals of Ecology and Life Safety of the ASMU based on the accredited testing laboratory of occupational health monitoring. A P3-34 electromagnetic field parameter meter with an AP3-34 microwave isotropic directivity converter was used to measure the flux density of electromagnetic energy, the mean square values of the electric and magnetic fields in the continuous generation mode. A total of 212 measurements of the electromagnetic field energy flux density were carried out in 14 populated areas of Altai Krai: the cities of Barnaul, Biysk, Rubtsovsk, Zarinsk, as well as the villages of Shipunovo, Ragozikha (Pavlovsky District), Pospelikha, Tyumentsevo, Bulanikha (Zonal District), villages of Biysky District - Malougrenyovo, Stan-Bekhtemir, Staraya Chemrovka, Usyatskoe, Chuisky. The energy flux density measurements were carried out in accordance with the Methodological Guidelines 4.3.1167-02 "Determination of the energy flux density of the electromagnetic field at the locations of radio equipment operating in the 300 MHz -300 GHz frequency range". Hygienic assessment of the obtained values of EFD was carried out on the basis of SanPiN 2.1.8/2.2.4.1383-03 "Hygienic requirements for the placement and operation of transmitting radio-technical objects". The choice of measurement sites was determined by the need to exclude, as far as possible, the exposure of the population to the places where it is possible to be located, both within the sanitary protection zone of the TRTO and the restricted area, and beyond. Mandatory inspection within the boundaries of the sanitary protection zone (SPZ) were carried at the buildings of the first line relative to the TRTO. By measuring the EFD, information about the types of transmitting radio equipment, radiating antennas, operating frequencies, modes and power of the transmitter, terrain and the presence of reflective surfaces was taken into account. At each measurement point, the maximum value of the EFD was determined at a height of up to 2 meters from the orientations of the isotropic sensor of the PZ-34 meter to the TRTO radiating antenna.
The risk of meningioma under the influence of the electromagnetic field was calculated in accordance with the methodological recommendations MR 2.1.10.0061-12 "Assessment of the risk to public health by exposure to variable electromagnetic fields (up to 300 GHz) in populated areas" for 21 transmitting radio-technical objects. For risk assessment, the values of the risk index were used in two scenarios: the least and the most favorable. The most favorable scenario assumes the influence
of the electromagnetic field within 8 hours, the least favorable - within 24 hours a day. For each of the scenarios, a risk index was calculated for the exposure for 5, 10, and 20 years.
Results and discussions
The calculated risk index for all measurement points of all investigated objects does not exceed 0.05, which, in accordance with MR 2.1.10.0061-12, is classified as "negligibly small, low risk, weakly affecting the level of health in the study area". The range of measured values of the energy flux density (EFD) of the radio frequency range from the examined TRTO ranged from 0.5 ± 0.02 ^W/cm2 to 233.7 ± 4.2 |jW/cm2. At the same time, the maximum permissible levels of power flux density (10 ^W/cm2) for the population in the range 0.3-300 GHz were not observed on residential floors of buildings and in residential areas. EFD levels exceeding 10 ^W/ cm2 were recorded on the roofs of buildings, where access by persons not related to the maintenance of the TRTO was excluded, and, accordingly, the EFD hygienic standards were observed for industrial exposure conditions in this frequency range of 1000 |jW/cm2. At the same time, it should be noted that 47.6% of the objects studied revealed an excess of the energy flux density (EFD) compared with the calculated values provided by the engineering organizations, which indicates the need for laboratory and instrumental measurements in each case for expert evaluation and the preparation of a san-itary-epidemiological conclusion on the conditions of the deployment of the TRTO. The maximum recorded value of EFD was determined on the roof of the building, where the access of people not related to maintenance of the TRTO was excluded and amounted to 233.71 ^W/cm2, which determined the largest risk index obtained (0.025 when exposed for 20 years). The risk of 76.2% of the studied objects does not exceed the background (the risk index is 0).
Table 1 shows the results of measurements and calculations for cities, Table 2 - in villages and settlements of Altai Krai. In rural areas, in none of the objects studied, the calculated risk exceeded the background risk, and the risk index of exposure to electromagnetic radiation from the radio frequency band from the TRTO is zero.
The results of the studies presented in Tables 1-2 show that even in case of exceeding the estimated values of EFD, the risk from exposure to electromagnetic radiation during operation of transmitting radio-technical objects does not exceed acceptable levels. At the same time, the presented results show the risk of exposure to only a small part of the electromagnetic spectrum of the radio frequency range and require additional studies aimed at clarifying the negative effects of various types of electromagnetic radiation (industrial frequency electromagnetic fields, hypohemagnetic fields, electrostatic field, computer emissions).
Table 1
Results of measurements of the energy flux density from transmitting radio-technical objects and the subsequent calculation of the risk index in the cities of Altai Krai
No. Exposure duration (years) 8 hour exposure risk index 24 hour exposure risk index Specific gravity of EFD values, not corresponding to the calculated data Maximum level of EFD (|jW/cm2) Number of EFD measurements
Barnaul
1 5 0 0 44,44% 7,14 9
10 0 0
20 0 0
2 5 0,000023 0,000072 16,67% 9,52 12
10 0,000042 0,000134
20 0,000069 0,000231
3 5 0 0 9,52% 5,8 21
10 0 0
20 0 0
4 5 0,000229 0,000704 5,88% 27,2 17
10 0,000412 0,001305
20 0,000675 0,002257
5 5 0,000145 0,000446 28,57% 20 7
10 0,000261 0,000828
20 0,000428 0,001432
Biysk
6 5 0 0 0,00% 2 15
10 0 0
20 0 0
7 5 0 0 9,09% 7,39 11
10 0 0
20 0 0
8 5 0 0 18,18% 3,4 11
10 0 0
20 0 0
9 5 0,00015 0,000462 0,00% 20,43 7
10 0,00027 0,000856
20 0,000443 0,001481
Rubtsovsk
10 5 0 0 36,36% 5,554 11
10 0 0
20 0 0
Zarinsk
11 5 0,002626 0,008079 0,00% 233,71 7
10 0,004726 0,014982
20 0,00775 0,025916
Table 2
Results of measurements of the energy flux density from transmitting radio-technical objects and the subsequent calculation of the risk index in the rural districts of Altai Krai
No. Exposure duration (years) 8 hour exposure risk index 24 hour exposure risk index Specific gravity of EFD Maximum Number values, not level of EFD of EFD corresponding 2 ,, r, , , , (uW/cm2) measurements to the calculated data
Shipunovsky District
1 5 0 0 14,29% 0,534 7
10 0 0
20 0 0
Pavlovsky District
2 5 0 0 0,00% 0,82 7
10 0 0
20 0 0
Pospelikhinsky District
3 5 0 0 0,00% 3,998 9
10 0 0
20 0 0
Tyumentsevsky District
4 5 0 0 0,00% 0,5 14
10 0 0
20 0 0
Zonalny District
5 5 0 0 0,00% 0,5 7
10 0 0
20 0 0
Biysky District
6 5 0 0 8,33% 0,74 12
10 0 0
20 0 0
7 5 0 0 0,00% 1,11 7
10 0 0
20 0 0
8 5 0 0 0,00% 0,5 6
10 0 0
20 0 0
9 5 0 0 0,00% 0,9 8
10 0 0
20 0 0
10 5 0 0 14,29% of the 0,62 7
10 0 0 object
20 0 0
Conclusions:
1. Under the most negative scenario of 24hour exposure to electromagnetic radiation during the operation of transmitting radio-technical objects, the risk does not exceed permissible levels and reaches 0.026.
2. Despite the fact that, according to research, preventive measures are not required, it is advisable to conduct additional research both in vivo and in vitro, aimed at studying the combined effects of various types of electromagnetic radiation on the human body.
3. It seems appropriate to conduct a comprehensive interdisciplinary research with the participation of specialists in the field of physiology, biochemistry and hygiene in order to clarify the negative impact of electromagnetic fields on public health.
4. In all cases of TRTO placement, its owner is obliged to consider the possibility of applying various methods of protecting public and industrial buildings from EMF at the stages of design, construction, reconstruction and operation.
5. Territories (sections of roofs of buildings) where the level of EMF exceeds the maximum permissible level for the population and to which the access of persons not directly connected with the maintenance of the TRTO is possible, should be fenced or marked with warning signs.
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Contacts
Corresponding author: Balandovich Boris Anatolievich, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor, Head of the Institute of Occupational Health and Industrial Ecology, Altai State Medical University, Barnaul. 656038, Barnaul, Lenina Prospekt, 40. Tel.: (3852) 566898. E-mail: [email protected]
Author information
Potseluev Nikolai Yurievich, Candidate of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of hygiene, the fundamentals of ecology and safety of vital activity, Altai State Medical University, Barnaul.
656038, Barnaul, per. Nekrasova, 65.
Tel.: (3852) 249719.
E-mail: [email protected]
Krasikov Aleksandr Anatolyevich, junior research
associate of the Institute of Occupational Health
and Industrial Ecology, Altai State Medical
University, Barnaul.
656038, Barnaul, per. Nekrasova, 65.
Tel.: (3852) 566898.
E-mail: [email protected]
Tulin Nikolai Yurievich, junior research associate of the Institute of Occupational Health and Industrial Ecology, Altai State Medical University, Barnaul. 656038, Barnaul, per. Nekrasova, 65. Tel.: (3852) 566898. E-mail: [email protected]
Nagornyak Alexey Sergeyevich, postgraduate
student of the Department of Hygiene, Basics
of Ecology and Life Safety, Altai State Medical
University, Barnaul.
656038, Barnaul, per. Nekrasova, 65.
Tel.: (3852) 566898.
E-mail: [email protected]
Pashkov Artem Petrovich, Candidate of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of hygiene, the fundamentals of ecology and safety of vital activity, Altai State Medical University, Barnaul.
656038, Barnaul, per. Nekrasova, 65. Tel.: (3852) 566835. E-mail: [email protected]
Zhukova Olga Viktorovna, Candidate of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of hygiene, the fundamentals of ecology and safety of vital activity, Altai State Medical University, Barnaul.
656038, Barnaul, per. Nekrasova, 65. Tel.: (3852) 566835. E-mail: [email protected]
Filippova Sofya Petrovna, Candidate of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of hygiene, the fundamentals of ecology and safety of vital activity, Altai State Medical University, Barnaul.
656038, Barnaul, per. Nekrasova, 65.
Tel.: (3852) 566835.
E-mail: [email protected]
Shved Olga Ivanovna, lecturer of the Department of hygiene, the fundamentals of ecology and safety of vital activity, Altai State Medical University, Barnaul.
656038, Barnaul, per. Nekrasova, 65. Tel.: (3852) 566835. E-mail: [email protected]
Shults Kseniya Viktorovna, lecturer of the
Department of hygiene, the fundamentals of
ecology and safety of vital activity, Altai State
Medical University, Barnaul.
656038, Barnaul, per. Nekrasova, 65.
Tel.: (3852) 566835.
E-mail: [email protected]
