Protection of Workers Exposed to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields: A Perspective on Open Questions in the Context of the New ICNIRP 2020 Guidelines

Workers in occupational settings are usually exposed to numerous sources of electromagnetic fields (EMF) and to different physical agents. Risk assessment for industrial workplaces concerning EMF is not only relevant to operators of devices or machinery emitting EMF, but also to support-workers, bystanders, service and maintenance personnel, and even visitors. Radiofrequency EMF guidelines published in 2020 by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) may also be indirectly applied to assess risks emerging from EMF sources at workplaces by technical standards or legislation. To review the applicability and adequacy to assess exposure to EMF in occupational settings in the European Union, the most current ICNIRP guidelines on radiofrequency EMF are reviewed. Relevant ICNIRP fundamentals and principles are introduced, followed by practical aspects of exposure assessment. To conclude, open questions are formulated pointing out gaps between the guidelines' principles and occupational practice, such as the impact of hot and humid environments and physical activity or controversies around ICNIRPS's reduction factors in view of assessment uncertainty in general. Thus, the article aims to provide scientific policy advisors, labor inspectors, or experts developing standards with a profound understanding about ICNIRP guidelines' applicability to assess hazards related to radiofrequency EMF in occupational settings.

Investigation of the impact of electromagnetic fields emitted close to the head by smart glasses

The functionality of smart glasses includes the possibility of wireless communication. For this purpose, WiFi or Bluetooth modules are integrated into the glasses. They emit electromagnetic radiation in the vicinity of the user's head. This simulation study investigates the impact of varying positions, frequencies, and antenna types of the embedded WiFi or Bluetooth modules on different tissue types in the human head. The absorption of electromagnetic energy causes the main impact on the tissue in the head. This physical process is best described by the specific absorption rate SAR. To investigate the effects of position, frequency, and antenna type on the simulated SAR values multiple simulations have been carried out considering real-world applications of smart glasses. The results show that the type of antenna has little effect on the SAR values of the different tissues. The maximum regulated output powers explain the frequencies' impact on the exposure. According to our findings, the greatest influence on the SAR values can be attributed to the placement of the antenna. Finally, our study reveals that positioning the antenna at the front side of the head is optimal for most tissues because of its maximal distance to the head tissues.