Magnetic-field flux density and spectral characteristics of motor-driven personal appliances

Magnetic emissions of electric appliances

More than 1000 electric appliances have been investigated regarding their emission of magnetic fields. It was found that complex frequency spectra are common and single frequency emissions are rare. Since exposure assessment requires frequency-weighted sums, root-mean-square values are not appropriate for comparison with exposure reference levels. It could be shown that they may underestimate emissions up to two orders of magnitude. Analysis of device groups showed a wide span of emission values of up to two orders of magnitude with only weak associations to power consumption. This demonstrates that there is a considerable potential to reduce fields without loss of performance. Exposure to magnetic fields of electric appliances are not negligible in daily life. Many devices considerably exceeded permitted reference levels and would require a closer analysis to demonstrate conformity with basic limits.

Magnetic emission ranking of electrical appliances. A comprehensive market survey

Over the last decades emissions of magnetic fields from electric appliances have considerably changed. Based on a comprehensive market survey it could be shown that today magnetic emissions are usually characterised by complex frequency spectra while single-frequency emissions have become rare. Therefore, spectral assessment procedures play a critical role. Compared to frequency-weighted equivalent magnetic induction, rms values may underestimate emissions up to two orders of magnitudes. Therefore, rms measurements are not suitable and emission-ranking lists of devices need revision. Surface hot-spot measurements at nominal load conditions and 230 V/50 Hz supply involved 1146 new electrical devices of 166 different categories. High emissions were not rare. Magnetic emissions of devices of 73 different categories exceeded reference levels up to almost two orders of magnitudes above reference levels. Maximum values were higher than reported so far. Magnetic emissions were high enough to make even conformity with existing basic restrictions not self-evident.

Expression analysis of human HL60 cells exposed to 60 Hz square- or sine-wave magnetic fields

A total of 960 complementary DNA (cDNA) clones from an HL60 cell cDNA library were screened to discover genes that were differentially expressed in HL60 cells exposed to 60 Hz square-wave magnetic fields (MFs) compared to sham-exposed cells. Square-wave fields are rich in odd harmonic frequency content. We used a two-gel cDNA library screening method (BIGEL) to identify treatment-induced alterations in gene expression. Four cDNA clones were tentatively identified as differentially expressed after exposure to square-wave MFs at 2 mT for 24 h. BIGEL-identified genes (GenBank accession number) corresponding to these clones were: TI227H (D50525), EST Homo sapiens partial cDNA (Z17814), human ribosomal protein S13 (L01124), and AICAR transformylase mRNAs (D82348). The differences in mRNA levels were not confirmed in test compared to experimental cells by Northern analysis. In other experiments, we used concurrent exposure to 60 Hz sine- or square-wave MFs (0 or 2 mT, duration of 3 or 24 h, no postexposure delay). In addition to the four BIGEL genes, we also investigated MYC, HSP70, RAN and SOD1. In the case of MYC and HSP70, square-wave MFs appeared to exhibit more marked alterations when compared to sinusoidal waveforms, but the overall results indicated no effect of possible differential magnetic-field-induced expression of all eight genes. In contrast, alterations of mRNA levels were observed for seven genes after exposure to X irradiation, hyperthermia and TPA. These results are contrary to previously proposed similarities between the action of these agents and MF effects on gene transcription.

Spectral analysis of magnetic fields from domestic appliances and corresponding induced current densities in an anatomically based model of the human head

Magnetic fields emitted by electric appliances such as razors, hair dryers, and drills were measured in the frequency domain. Results show the presence of high-frequency components (up to 96 kHz for razors, up to 3.4 kHz for hair dryers, and up to 8.6 kHz for drills) in the harmonic content of the fields. The measured fields were used to calculate the induced current densities in an anatomically based model of the human head (resolution 1.31 cm) by using the impedance method. The harmonic field contribution to the current density was higher than that from the carrier frequency for all the tested appliances.