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http://dx.doi.org/10.5668/JEHS.2018.44.5.480

Discussion of Exposure Evaluation Associated with Extremely Low Frequency-magnetic Field in the Case of Portable Hand-held Fans  

Park, Dong-Uk (Department of Environmental Health, Korea National Open University)
Yi, Seongjin (Asian Citizen's Center for Environment and Health)
Kim, So-Youn (Department of Environmental Health, Korea National Open University)
Bae, Seo-Youn (Department of Environmental Health, Korea National Open University)
Choi, Sangjun (Department of Occupational Health, Daegu Catholic University)
Kim, Won (Wonjin Institute for Occupational and Environmental Health)
Min, Sung Hyon (Seoul Singye Elementary School)
Park, Jihoon (Institute of Health and Environment, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University)
Ahn, Jongju (Graduate School of Health & Welfare, Dankook University)
Publication Information
Journal of Environmental Health Sciences / v.44, no.5, 2018 , pp. 480-490 More about this Journal
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to report the level of extremely low frequency-magnetic field (ELF-MF) emitted by portable hand-held fans (HHF) and to discuss the methodologies for determining the health risk of ELF-MF for HHF products. Method: ELF-MF was monitored at eight locations by distances in the vicinity of HHFs. A total of 13 HHF brands on the market were randomly selected. A portable ELF-MF monitor MDEX II was used to measure the ELF-MF level in the range of 40-800 Hz with a resolution of $0.01{\mu}T$. This study also examined the frequency results of a total of 45 HHF products investigated by the Korean Ministry of Science and ICT (KMSICT). Results: ELF-MF higher than $0.3{\mu}T$ was found to be emitted at a distance of less than 20 cm from 12 HHF. ELF-MF emitted from four products was found to exceed the reference level ($83.3{\mu}T$ based on 60 Hz) recommended by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). KMSIT reported that the principle frequency emitted from the HHFs ranged from 54 Hz to 284 kHz, without the level of LEF-MF. Unscientifically, the KMSICT used the reference level by ICNIRP as the chronic level and concluded that all HHFs are safe with a basis of 1.2-36.0% less than the reference level. Conclusion: The HHF emitted much higher levels of ELF-MF than $0.3-0.4{\mu}T$, which is regarded as the reference level for childhood leukemia. The risk of HHF should be examined in terms of whether they can be used by the general public, including children and pregnant woman.
Keywords
Portable hand-held fan (HHF); extremely low frequency-magnetic field (ELF-MF); exposure;
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