Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene (한국산업보건학회지)

Korean Industrial Hygiene Association (한국산업보건학회)
권호 표지
DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

Evaluation of Intensity of Extremely Low Frequency Magnetic Fields (ELF-MF) Inside of Cabins as Generated During Subway Operation

지하철 운행 중 발생하는 객차 내부 극저주파 자기장(ELF-MF) 세기 평가

  • Lee, Jihyun (Work Environment Measurement, Gumi Hospital, SoonChunHyang University) ;
  • Kang, Myeongji (Department of Public Health, KeiMyung University) ;
  • Park, Yunkyung (Department of Occupational Health, Daegu Catholic University) ;
  • Park, Donguk (Department of Environment Health, Korea National Open University) ;
  • Choi, Sangjun (Department of Occupational Health, Daegu Catholic University)
  • 이지현 (순천향대학교 부속 구미병원 작업환경측정) ;
  • 강명지 (계명대학교 공중보건학과) ;
  • 박윤경 (대구가톨릭대학교 산업보건학과) ;
  • 박동욱 (한국방송통신대학교 환경보건학과) ;
  • 최상준 (대구가톨릭대학교 산업보건학과)
  • Received : 2019.02.21
  • Accepted : 2019.05.28
  • Published : 2019.06.30
Download PDF
⟨ Previous Next ⟩

Abstract

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the intensity of the extremely low frequency magnetic fields(ELF-MF) generated inside of the cabins during subway operation. Methods: The ELF-MF intensity were investigated on 30 subway lines in Korea, including in the Greater Seoul Metropolitan Area(Seoul and Gyeonggi-do Province), Incheon, Busan, Daegu, Daejeon, and Gwangju. ELF-MF intensity was measured at 0.9 m from the floor using EMDEX II meters with a resolution of $0.01{\mu}T$. All data were collected every three seconds and analyzed with EMCALC 2013 version 3.0B software. Basic characteristics of subway operation, including alternative current(AC) or direct current(DC), voltage level, and opening year of the line were investigated. Real-time information during measurement, such as the time of departure, moving and arrival of trains, were also recorded. Results: The arithmetic mean(AM) and maximum(Max) intensity of ELF-MF were $0.62{\mu}T$ and $11.51{\mu}T$, respectively. Compared by region, the ELF-MF intensity measured inside cabin were the highest in the Seoul Metropolitan Area($AM=0.80{\mu}T$), followed by Busan($AM=0.30{\mu}T$), Daegu($AM=0.29{\mu}T$), Incheon($AM=0.14{\mu}T$), Gwangju($AM=0.04{\mu}T$) and Daejeon($AM=0.03{\mu}T$). The average ELF-MF level measured in AC trains($AM=1.36{\mu}T$) was also significantly higher than in DC trains($AM=0.28{\mu}T$). In terms of the opening year of the subway, trains opened before 1990($AM=0.85{\mu}T$) was the highest and the lowest was 2000-2009($AM=0.24{\mu}T$). Conclusions: The AC supply has the greatest influence on the generation of the ELF-MF intensity in subway cabins.

Keywords

SOOSB1_2019_v29n2_185_f0001.png 이미지

Figure 2. The distribution of ELF-MF intensity by region

SOOSB1_2019_v29n2_185_f0002.png 이미지

Figure 1. Diagram of subway cabins (a) and ELF-MF measurement position (b)

Table 1. The basic characteristics of the subway investigated in this study

SOOSB1_2019_v29n2_185_t0001.png 이미지

Table 2. Comparison of extremely low frequency magnetic field intensity measured in subway cabins by region, line number, current type, voltage level and open year

SOOSB1_2019_v29n2_185_t0002.png 이미지

Table 3. Comparison of extremely low frequency magnetic field intensity by operation status and current type of subway

SOOSB1_2019_v29n2_185_t0003.png 이미지

Table 4. Comparison of extremely low frequency magnetic field intensity by open year and operation status of subway

SOOSB1_2019_v29n2_185_t0004.png 이미지

Table 5. Factors affecting extremely low frequency magnetic field intensity measured in subway cabins

SOOSB1_2019_v29n2_185_t0005.png 이미지

References

  1. Belyaev I, Dean A, Eger H, Hubmann G, Jandrisovits R, Kern M, Oberfeld G. EUROPAEM EMF Guideline 2016 for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of EMF-related health problems and illnesses. Rev Environ Health. 2016 Sep 1;31(3):363-97 (https://doi.org/10.1515/reveh-2016-0011)
  2. Bowman JD, Methner MM. Hazard surveillance for industrial magnetic fields: II. Field characteristics from waveform measurements. Ann Work Expo Health. 2000;44(8):615-33
  3. Chung EK, Kim KB, Chung KJ, Lee IS, You KH, Park JS. Occupational exposure of semiconductor workers to ELF magnetic fields. J Korean Soc Occup Environ Hyg, 2012, 22(1):42-51.
  4. Deadman JE, Armstrong BG, Theriault G. Exposure to 60-Hz magnetic and electric fields at a Canadian electric utility. Scand J Work Environ Health. 1996 Dec;22(6):415-24 https://doi.org/10.5271/sjweh.162
  5. Deadman JE, Infante-Rivard C. Individual estimation of exposures to extremely low frequency magnetic fields in jobs commonly held by women. Am J Epidemiol. 2002 Feb 15;155(4):368-78(https://doi.org/10.1093/aje/155.4.368)
  6. Floderus B, Tornqvist S, Stenlund C. Incidence of selected cancers in Swedish railway workers, 1961-79. Cancer Causes Control. 1994 Mar;5(2):189-94 https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01830265
  7. Halgamuge MN, Abeyrathne CD, Mendis P. Measurement and analysis of electromagnetic fields from trams, trains and hybrid cars. Radiat Prot Dosimetry. 2010 Oct;141(3):255-68(https://doi.org/10.1093/rpd/ncq168)
  8. Havas M, Shum S, Dhalla R. Passenger exposure to magnetic fields on go trains and on buses, streetcars, and subways run by the Toronto transit commission, Toronto, Canada. Biological Effects of EMFs. 3rd International Workshop, Kos, Greece; 2004, p. 4-8
  9. Hewett P. Analysis of censored data. In: A strategy for assessing and managing occupational exposures, Third edition. Fairfax, VA, AIHA press. 2006, p.415-21
  10. Hornung R, Reed L. Estimation of average concentration in the presence of nondetectable values. Appl Occup Environ Hyg. 1990 Jan;5(1):46-51(https://doi.org/10.1080/1047322X.1990.10389587)
  11. International Agency for Research on Cancer. Static and extremely low frequency electric and magnetic fields. Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans, 2002, 80.
  12. International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection. Guidelines for limiting exposure to time-varying electric, magnetic, and electromagnetic fields (up to 300 GHz). Health Phys. 1998 Apr;74(4):494-522
  13. International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection. ICNIRP statement related to the use of security and similar devices utilizing electromagnetic fields. Health Phys. 2004 Aug;87(2):187-96 https://doi.org/10.1097/00004032-200408000-00007
  14. International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection. ICNIRP statement on the "guidelines for limiting exposure to time-varying electric, magnetic, and electromagnetic fields(up to 300 GHz)". Health Phys. 2009 Sep;97(3):257-8(https://doi.org/10.1097/HP.0b013e3181aff9db)
  15. International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection. Guidelines for limiting exposure to time-varying electric and magnetic fields (1 Hz to 100 kHz). Health Phys. 2010 Dec;99(6):818-36(https://doi.org/10.1097/HP.0b013e3181f06c86)
  16. Jalilian H, Najafi K, Monazzam MR, Khosravi Y, Jamali J. Occupational exposure of train drivers to static and extremely low frequency magnetic fields in Tehran subway. Jundishapur Journal of Health Sciences 2017;9(4)(https://doi.org/ 10.5812/jjhs.14329)
  17. Jang SK, Cho YS, Lee SJ, Yoo SW, Jung KM, Lim JH. A Survey on the EMF Levels of Study and Electric Appliances in Korea. J Korean Soc Occup Environ Hyg 2005;15(1):71-81
  18. Ju MN, Yang KH, Myung SH. Survey on the Personal Magnetic Field Exposure of Sample Koreans from Living Environment. The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers 2004;53(2):97-102
  19. Kim YS, Kim SY, Park JY, Choi WU. Measurement and Personal Exposure Assessment of Extremely Low Frequency(ELF) Electromagnetic fields(EMF). Kor J Env Hlth Soc 1997;23(1):55-61
  20. Kliukiene J, Tynes T, Andersen A. Residential and occupational exposures to 50-Hz magnetic fields and breast cancer in women: a population-based study. Am J Epidemiol. 2004 May 1;159(9):852-61 (https://doi.org/10.1093/aje/kwh116)
  21. Korea environmental industry & technology institute. Electromagnetic wave health effect research trend, 2014
  22. Korea Railroad Corporation. Railway statistics annual report(II), 2017
  23. Labreche F, Goldberg MS, Valois MF, Nadon L, Richardson L, Lakhani R, Latreille B. Occupational exposures to extremely low frequency magnetic fields and postmenopausal breast cancer. Am J Ind Med. 2003 Dec;44(6):643-52(https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.10264)
  24. Lee SK, Park JS, Ahn JH, Sin MY. A Study on Work Relevance Health Impairment of Live Workers. Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, 2017
  25. Loomis DP, Savitz DA, Ananth CV. Breast cancer mortality among female electrical workers in the United States. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1994 Jun 15;86(12):921-5 https://doi.org/10.1093/jnci/86.12.921
  26. Navas-Acien A, Pollan M, Gustavsson P, Floderus B, Plato N, Dosemeci M. Interactive effect of chemical substances and occupational electromagnetic field exposure on the risk of gliomas and meningiomas in Swedish men. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2002 Dec;11(12):1678-83
  27. Minder CE, Pfluger DH. Leukemia, brain tumors, and exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields in Swiss railway employees. Am J Epidemiol. 2001 May 1;153(9):825-35 Ministry of Government Legislation. RADIO WAVES ACT(https://doi.org/10.1093/aje/153.9.825)
  28. Park DU, Yi SG, Kim SY, Bae SY, Choi SJ, Kim W, Min SH, Park JH, Ahn JJ. Discussion of exposure evaluation associated with extremely low frequency-magnetic field in the case of portable hand-held fans. J Environ Health Sci. 2018, 44(5):480-490.
  29. Park KH, Ahn YH, Kim TJ. Health Status of Electric Utility Workers Exposed to Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic field(ELF-EMF). Korean J Clin Lab Sci 2005;37(3):220-227
  30. Pollan M, Gustavsson P, Floderus B. Breast cancer, occupation, and exposure to electromagnetic fields among Swedish men. Am J Ind Med. 2001 Mar; 39(3):276-85(https://doi.org/ 10.1002/1097-0274 (200103)39:3<276::AID-AJIM1015>3.0.CO;2-B)
  31. Portier CJ, Wolfe MS. Assessment of health effects from exposure to power-line frequency electric and magnetic fields. NIH publication, 1998;98:3981
  32. Roosli M, Egger M, Pfluger D, Minder C. Cardiovascular mortality and exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields: a cohort study of Swiss railway workers. Environ Health. 2008 Jul 1;7:35(https://doi.org/10.1186/1476-069X-7-35)
  33. Santangelo L, Di Grazia M, Liotti F, De Maria E, Calabro R, Sannolo N. Magnetic field exposure and arrythmic risk: evaluation in railway drivers. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 2005 May;78(4):337-41(https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-004-0541-2)
  34. Savitz DA, Liao D, Sastre A, Kleckner RC, Kavet R. Magnetic field exposure and cardiovascular disease mortality among electric utility workers. Am J Epidemiol. 1999 Jan 15;149(2):135-42(https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a009779)
  35. World Health Organization. Environmental Health Criteria 238: Extremely Low Frequency Fields, 2007