Electromagnetic safety

Electromagnetic radiation at certain levels can have a negative effect on the human body, animals and other living creatures, as well as adversely affect the operation of electrical appliances. Different types of non-ionizing radiation of electromagnetic fields have different physiological effects. In practice, they distinguish between the effects of a magnetic field (constant and quasi-constant, pulsed), RF and microwave radiation, laser radiation, electric and magnetic fields of industrial frequency from high-voltage equipment, etc.

In connection with the increasing distribution of EMF sources in everyday life ( microwave - microwave ovens , mobile phones , television and radio broadcasting ) and in production ( HDTV equipment, radio communications ), the regulation of EMF levels is of great importance.

Rationing of EMF levels is carried out separately for workplaces and sanitary- residential zone.

There are national and international hygiene standards for EMF levels, depending on the range, for the residential area and in the workplace.

Optical Range

There are hygienic standards for lighting; Safety guidelines for working with laser radiation have also been developed.

Radio Waves

Permissible levels of electromagnetic radiation (density of the flow of electromagnetic energy) are reflected in the standards established by the state competent authorities, depending on the range of EMF . These standards can be significantly different in different countries.

The parallel development of hygienic science in the USSR and Western countries led to the formation of different approaches to assessing the effect of electromagnetic radiation . For some countries of the former Soviet Union, standardization in units of energy flux density (PES) remains predominant, while for the United States and EU countries it is typical to estimate specific absorption power (SAR).

The biological consequences of the strong influence of high level fields (well above 100 µT), which are explained by the action of recognized biophysical mechanisms, have been established. Extremely low frequency (ELF) external magnetic fields induce electric fields and currents in the human body, which, at very high field strengths, stimulate nerves and muscles and cause a change in the excitability of nerve cells in the central nervous system.

As for the long-term consequences, due to the lack of evidence supporting the relationship between the exposure to ELF magnetic fields and childhood leukemia, the health benefits of lowering exposure levels are unclear. ^[one]

A number of studies have examined the effects of radio frequency fields on brain electrical activity, cognitive functions, sleep, heart rate, and blood pressure in volunteers. To date, studies do not suggest any consistent evidence of adverse health effects from exposure to radio frequency fields at levels below levels that cause tissue heating. In addition, studies could not find a causal relationship between exposure to electromagnetic fields and “symptoms of self-esteem” or “ electromagnetic hypersensitivity ”. Epidemiological studies examining the potential long-term risks of exposure to radio frequency exposure were primarily aimed at finding a link between brain tumors and the use of mobile phones. Animal studies do not show an increased risk of cancer from long-term exposure to radio frequency fields. ^[2]

In Russia, SanPiN 2.2.4.1191-03 "Electromagnetic fields in production conditions" ^{[3] [4]} , as well as a number of other regulatory documents, in particular: SanPiN 2.1.8 / 2.2.4.1383-03 "Hygienic requirements for placement and operation transmitting radio-technical objects ”, SanPiN 2.2.4.1329-03“ Requirements for protecting personnel from exposure to pulsed electromagnetic fields ”, SanPiN 2.5.2 / 2.2.4.1989-06“ Electromagnetic fields on swimming facilities and offshore structures Hygienic safety requirements ” ^[5] . In Ukraine, the GDR hygiene standards (PDU) 5803-91 “Maximum permissible levels (PDU) of exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) in the frequency range 10-60 kHz” ^{[6] [7] [8] apply} .

Allocate, in particular:

• temporary allowable levels (VDU) of attenuation of the geomagnetic field (GMF);
• Remote Control Electrostatic Field (ESP);
• PDU of a constant magnetic field (PMP);
• PDU of electric and magnetic fields of industrial frequency 50 Hz (EP and MP IF);
• Remote control of electromagnetic fields in the frequency range> 10 kHz −30 kHz;
• Remote control of electromagnetic fields in the frequency range s 30 kHz −300 GHz.

• LW - kilometer waves , frequencies from 30 kHz to 300 kHz, able to go around obstacles due to diffraction
• CB - medium waves, frequencies from 300 kHz to 3 MHz
• HF - short waves, frequencies from 3 MHz to 30 MHz, capable of being reflected from the ionosphere
• VHF - ultrashort meter waves, frequencies from 30 MHz to 300 MHz
• UHF - ultra-high-frequency decimeter waves, frequencies from 300 MHz to 3 GHz, penetrate body tissues
• Microwave - ultra-high-frequency centimeter and millimeter waves, frequencies from 3 GHz to 30 GHz
• EHF - extremely high-frequency radiation - millimeter waves, frequencies from 30 GHz to 300 GHz, able to penetrate walls

Mobile phones and base stations

The permissible radiation levels of mobile base stations (900 and 1800 MHz, the total level from all sources) in the sanitary-residential zone in some countries differ markedly:

Ukraine: 10 μW / cm², until 2016 it was 2.5 μW / cm². (the most stringent sanitary standard in Europe)

Russia, Hungary: 10 μW / cm².

Moscow: 2.0 μW / cm². (the norm existed until the end of 2009)

USA, Scandinavian countries: 100 μW / cm².

The temporary permissible level (VDU) from mobile radiotelephones (MRI) for users of radiotelephones in the Russian Federation is 10 μW / cm² (Section IV - Hygienic requirements for mobile land radio stations SanPiN 2.1.8 / 2.2.4.1190-03 "Hygienic requirements for placement and operation land mobile radio communications "). ^[9]

“Modern ideas about the biological effect of EMR from MRI do not allow us to predict all the adverse effects, many aspects of the problem are not covered in the modern literature and require additional research. In this regard, according to the recommendations of the WHO , it is advisable to adhere to a precautionary policy, that is, to minimize the time of using mobile communications. ” ^{[10] [11] The} contribution of mobile communication devices to the general electromagnetic load of the population is estimated in Russia with a total value of 70%.

Ionizing Radiation

Permissible standards are regulated by radiation safety standards - NRB-99 .

• X-ray radiation - frequencies 3 * 10 ¹⁶ Hz to 3 * 10 ³⁰ Hz . It is proved that when exceeding permissible radiation standards, radiation has a detrimental effect on living cells. .

The control over the EMF levels is assigned to the sanitary inspection bodies and the telecommunication inspection, and at enterprises - to the labor protection service.

The maximum permissible levels of electromagnetic fields in different radio frequency ranges are different ^[12] .

A pilot project of an open interactive ecological map of the city is currently being implemented in Russia. ^{[ significance of fact? ]} Venue Volgograd. In accordance with the concept , all levels of radiation from various sources of electromagnetic fields will be plotted on an interactive map.

There are administrative and regulatory bodies - the Radio Communications Inspectorate (in Ukraine, for example, Ukrchastotnadzor), which regulates the distribution of frequency ranges for various users, compliance with the allocated ranges, and monitors the illegal use of radio broadcasts.

1. Shielding (active and passive; source of electromagnetic radiation or an object of protection; integrated shielding).
2. Removing sources from the near field; from the work area.
3. Constructive improvement of equipment in order to reduce the used EMF levels, the total consumed and radiated power of the equipment.
4. Limiting the time spent by operators or the public in the area of EMF .

• Radiobiology of non-ionizing radiation
• Health and mobile phone
• Magnetobiology
• Colony Disruption Syndrome

• Spodobaev Yu. M., Kubanov V.P. Fundamentals of electromagnetic ecology. - M .: Radio and communications, 2000. - 240 p.
• Dovbysh V. N., Maslov M. Yu., Spodobaev Yu. M. Electromagnetic safety of elements of energy systems, 2009. - 198 p.
• Pochechueva O.S. Electromagnetic radiation intentionally directed at you. - M .: "LUM", 2015. - 30 p. - ISBN 978-5-906072-09-2
• Kudryashov Yu. B., Perov Yu. F. Rubin A. B. Radiation biophysics: radio-frequency and microwave electromagnetic radiation. Textbook for high schools. - M .: FIZMATLIT, 2008 .-- 184 p. - ISBN 978-5-9221-0848-5
• S. M. Apollonsky. Reference for the calculation of electromagnetic screens. Leningrad, 1988
• N.N. Grachev, L.O. Myrova. Protection of humans from hazardous radiation. - M .: Binom. Laboratory of Knowledge, 2009. - 317 p.

• Fundamentals of electromagnetic ecology
• Useful books and materials on the site "Laboratory of electromagnetic monitoring"
• Research Laboratory of Electromagnetic Safety at SPbGMTU of the Department of Ecology of Industrial Zones and Water Areas
• Protecting a person from exposure to electromagnetic radiation
• A fundamentally new technogenic electromagnetic pollution of the environment and the lack of an adequate regulatory framework (analysis of modern domestic and foreign data. Grigoryev Yu. G. Materials of the Plenum of the Scientific Council on Human Ecology and Environmental Hygiene. 2012, M. S. 84-87.