EMF Testing - If you are a heart-device patient, you may find your device at risk of interference around high-voltage overhead power lines, radio transmission towers, electric power tools, portable two-way radios, large AC and small DC motors and so on. In the workplace you may request an Electromagnetic Field Interference (EMI) survey (also called a site survey) of your workplace. The FCC, IEEE and ICNIRP have standards for worker exposure to electromagnetic fields. OSHA references other standards under the General Duty Clause but has no specific regulations. Why conduct a site survey of your workplace or even a single piece of equipment? There are multiple sources of EMF in the workplace. Our aging workforce needs protection.

1. Electromagnetic Fields in the Workplace
How it Affects an Aging Workforce
August 7-10, 2023

2. www.EMFTESTING.net
Electromagnetic Fields are produced
by various sources, including power
lines, electric generation, motors and
radiofrequency transmission.

3. What are Electromagnetic Fields?
Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are a combination
of electric and magnetic fields that are generated
by electric currents in a circuit.
www.EMFTESTING.net

4. What are Electromagnetic Fields?
www.EMFTESTING.net

5. What are Electromagnetic Fields?
EMF is produced by a variety of sources, including
power lines, electrical generation, machinery,
radiofrequency transmission and by nature.
www.EMFTESTING.net

6. Sources of Electromagnetic Fields
www.EMFTESTING.net

7. What is Electromagnetic Interference (EMI)?
 Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) refers to the disturbance
caused by electromagnetic radiation on electronic devices or
systems.
 It occurs when the electromagnetic field produced by one
device interferes with the operation of another device, leading
to a degradation in performance or malfunction.
 EMI can be generated by many sources.
www.EMFTESTING.net

8. Compare Worker Standards for EMF
www.EMFTESTING.net
27.1
10 10
1
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
IEEE ACGIH TLV ICNIRP Heart Device
Mfgs.
Gauss
Level
Agency
MAGNETIC FIELD (GAUSS) STANDARDS
FOR WORKERS

9. Listed as Possible Carcinogens
The WHO International Agency for Research on
Cancer (IARC) has classified
• extremely low frequency (ELF) sources, like a power
line, magnetic fields, 1-300 Hz as “possibly
carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B).
• radiofrequency sources i.e. -150 kHz and up as
“possibly carcinogenic to humans as Group 2B
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10. Listed as Possible Carcinogens
Depends on time and intensity of exposure.
Most exposures are lower in time and intensity
then the threshold of concern for cancer
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11. Sources of EMI in the Workplace
.
There are
numerous
sources of
electromagnetic
interference in
the workplace

12. Sources of EMF in the Workplace
Motors
Power tools
Electric Arc welding
Overhead power lines
Microwave ovens
Mobile radios
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13. Overhead Powerlines
Voltage Fields
Motors are essentially rotating magnets
Motors
Motors are
found in
most
production
plants
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14. Overhead Powerlines
Voltage Fields
Motors are essentially a rotating magnet (rotor)
within a magnet (stator)
Motors

15. Motors are Everywhere
Motors in a Production Facility

16. Overhead Powerlines
Voltage Fields
Most power tools have small AC or DC Motors
Power Tools
www.EMFTESTING.net

17. Battery-
operated
power tools
have small DC
motors
Power Tools
www.EMFTESTING.net
But have a big effect
due to close
proximity and plastic
casing.

18. Overhead Powerlines
Voltage Fields
Overhead Power Lines
High voltage
overhead power
lines produce a
strong electric
field (voltage) and
magnetic field ~~~
www.EMFTESTING.net

19. Overhead Powerlines
Voltage Fields
Electric Arc Welding
Arc Welding
produces strong
DC Magnetic
Fields ~~~
www.EMFTESTING.net

20. Lifting Magnet in a Steel Mill
www.EMFTESTING.net
These magnets
produce a very
strong magnetic
field.

21. Overhead Powerlines
Voltage Fields
Card Reader
An AC Magnetic
Field is produced
by a key card
reader
www.EMFTESTING.net

22. Measuring Instruments
Some Instruments to
Measure EMF in the
Workplace
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23. Nuclear Generating Stations
We Have Tested for Electromagnetic Fields in Many Places

24. Niagara NY Hydroelectric Power Station
Places We Have Tested for Electromagnetic Fields
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25. A Steel Mill in the Midwest
Places We Have Tested for Electromagnetic Fields
www.EMFTESTING.net

26. A Battery
Production Plant
Places We Have
Tested for
Electromagnetic
Fields

27. Dairy Cheese Plant
Places We Have Tested for Electromagnetic Fields
Motors and
Magnets

28. Places We Have Tested for Electromagnetic Fields
An Aircraft
Maintenance
Facility
www.EMFTESTING.net
Various sources
include motors,
radar and
antennas.

29. www.EMFTESTING.net
The distance between a source of electromagnetic
fields (EMF) and a person can indeed reduce their
exposure to EMF radiation. EMF radiation decreases
with distance due to the inverse square law, which
states that the intensity of radiation diminishes as the
distance from the source increases.
How to Reduce Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields

30. CC BY-SA 3.0
Steps to Reduce Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields
Distance from the
source is the most
effective way to
reduce exposure
The source

31. Wikimedia Commons
A Faraday Cage Reduce Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields

32. Your cell phone is a source of EMI and could affect your
pacemaker temporarily. Once you move the phone away
from your pacemaker, it will return it to working as usual.
Using Cell Phones Safely
www.EMFTESTING.net

33. Keep at least 6 inches (15 cm) between the cell phone and
your pacemaker. If the phone transmits more than 3 watts,
keep the phone 12 inches (30 cm) away.
Hold the phone to your ear on the opposite side of your body
from your pacemaker.
Do not carry a cell phone in a breast pocket or on your belt if
that places the phone within 6 inches (15 cm) of your
pacemaker.
Using Cell Phones Safely
www.EMFTESTING.net

34. Stuart D Bagley, MS CIH CSP
IAQ-EMF Consulting Inc.
www.EMFTESTING.net
sbagley@EMFTESTING.net
(800) 862-9655
www.EMFTESTING.net
I am happy to answer your questions?