• The Journal of Korean Institute of Electromagnetic Engineering and Science
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.601-609
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• 2010

This paper measured EMF strength of the duty measurement radio station(77 station) and the non-duty measurement radio station(41 station) of mobile communication base station in Jeonbuk region. As the result of measurement, it generally reveals that EMF is highly low level compare to the human protection guideline. And It is regarded as level that the national people who live close to the mobile communication base station don't have to worry about electromagnetic wave. This paper provides comparative analyses categorized by the duty measurement station and the non-duty measurement station. The results reveals that the average value and the maximum value of the non-duty measurement station preferably was higher than all the duty measurement station. It is thought that the EMF exposure strength of the national people is caused by approach of station antenna rather than antenna power. Consequently this paper suggests that standard of the antenna power(exceed 30 W), standard of antenna height(exceed 10 m) specified by Radio Regulation Act enforcement ordinance, legal basis for mobile communication base station have to be changed.

• The Journal of Korean Institute of Electromagnetic Engineering and Science
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.525-533
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• 2013

As the number of base stations for mobile communication services rapidly grows with the development of mobile communications and the increase of radio-use devices, there are hazardous concerns raised on the possible health effects of EMF(Electro-magnetic fields) radiated from base station antennas. Since 2007, KCA(Korea Communications Agency) has been measuring the EMF on base station defined by Radio Act. This paper was studied to provide objective and accurate information that relieved anxiety of people by analyzing the measurement results on EMF strength. Also, we suggest to effectiveness and improvement of EMF measurement institution by analyzing measurement results since it was introduced on June 2007.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.9-16
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• 2006

We investigated the effects of 835-MHz electromagnetic field (EMF), one of the most popular communication frequency band in Korean code-division multiple-access (CDMA) mobile phone system, on cellular signal transduction. For this, we examined the change of intracellular calcium $([Ca^{2+}]_i)$, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and F-actin polymerization after exposure to 835-MHz EMF followed by the treatment of agonists in Rat-2 fibroblast cells. Culture cells were pretreated with serum-tree medium and concomitantly exposed to 835-MHz at specific absorption rate (SAR) of 4.0 W/kg for 24 hr in a specialized designed apparatus based on Transverse Electro Magnetics (TEM) wave theory. Intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ responses to lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) in Rat-2 fibroblast after exposure to 835-MHz EMF were shown to be similar pattern as observed in normal cultured cells. However, the LPA-induced calcium spiking was slightly delayed to 7 sec and sustained thereafter to a little higher ground level under 835-MHz EMF radiation compared to unexposed cells. ROS production level by LPA in the exposed cells was not different from that in control. Furthermore, LPA induced the production of stress fibers with no significant difference in the exposed and unexposed cells. These results suggest that mobile phone radiation (835-MHz, SAR 4.0 W/kg) may not be directly related to signal transduction in Rat-2 fibroblasts except the slight effect of calcium spiking in LPA-induced cells but remain to be further elucidated for possible indirect intervention.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.570-576
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• 2014

Studies have demonstrated that electromagnetic waves, as the one of the most important physical factors, may alter cognitive and non-cognitive behaviors, depending on the frequency and energy. Moreover, non-ionizing radiation of low energy waves e.g. very low frequency waves could alter this phenomenon via alterations in neurotransmitters and neurohormones. In this study, short, medium, and long-term exposure to the extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) (1 and 5 Hz radiation) on behavioral, hormonal, and metabolic changes in male Wistar rats (250 g) were studied. In addition, changes in plasma concentrations for two main stress hormones, noradrenaline and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) were evaluated. ELF-EMF exposure did not alter body weight, and food and water intake. Plasma glucose level was increased and decreased in the groups which exposed to the 5 and 1Hz wave, respectively. Plasma ACTH concentration increased in both using frequencies, whereas noradrenaline concentration showed overall reduction. At last, numbers of rearing, sniffing, locomotor activity was increased in group receiving 5 Hz wave over the time. In conclusions, these data showed that the effects of 1 and 5 Hz on the hormonal, metabolic and stress-like behaviors may be different. Moreover, the influence of waves on stress system is depending on time of exposure.

• Journal of Science and Technology Studies
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.119-166
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• 2019

The risk of electromagnetic field(EMF) from power lines has been heavily disputed whenever high-voltage power line towers were built in South Korea. Local communities and civic groups had regarded burying the lines in the ground as an alternative to building power line towers. In 2014, however, when an elementary school science teacher reported the results of EMF measurements over the underground power lines to the Asian Citizens' Center for Environment and Health (ACCEH), the risk controversy over underground power lines took a whole new turn. The level of EMF from underground power lines turned out to be higher, and therefore more harmful than that from power line towers. In the debates that took place from then on over the EMF risk, ACCEH and NIER(National Institute of Environmental Research) presented conflicting topographies of EMF risk. This paper examines measuring practices of ACCEH and NIER by analyzing the measuring sites, measuring devices, and measuring heights chosen by each organization. This paper further examines how ACCEH and NIER mobilized various standards(EMF exposure limit, measurement guideline, categorization of carcinogens) differently. This controversy on the EMF from underground power lines of Seoul has raised concerns on the non-thermal effects of EMF in the long-term exposure and has led people to question whether burying the power lines is the safe alternative to building power line towers. Furthermore, this suggests conflicting answers on whether Seoul, where 90 % of transmission lines were already buried, is a safely managed place or not.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.18-30
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• 2012

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to estimate the exposure level to extremely low frequency-magnetic fields (ELF-MF) among a selected Korean population using 24-hour personal exposure measurement. Methods: Participants were randomly selected for the measurement of MF exposure under the assumption that the subjects are representative of the overall Korean population. Levels of personal exposure to MF were measured according to the subject's daily activities. Results: The 24-hour time-weighted average (TWA) of 250 participants was $1.56{\pm}4.56$ mG (GM, GSD: 0.79, 2.46 mG). Personal exposure levels for females were higher than for males. The highest personal exposure level was shown in the age group between 20-60 years old. Personal exposure levels according to job category were higher for the non-occupational group than for the occupational group. Conclusions: Our results showed MF exposure exceeding 2 mG per day among 11.3% of the Korean population, indicating a somewhat higher percentage compared to the EMF RAPID Program's results for the U.S population.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.20-28
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• 2021

With an increase in the commercialization of electricity, and the development of advanced and large electric devices and various wireless radio wave services, concerns over the effects of electromagnetic fields on human health have increased. Accordingly, the World Health Organization encouraged the development of international standards by establishing the 'International Electromagnetic Fields Project' in 1996 based on studies on the harmful effects of electromagnetic fields on the human body. Moreover, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) classified electromagnetic fields as possible carcinogens under Group 2B category, even though they have been found to have a weak correlation with those effects on human health. Mid-to-large-sized electric facilities used at industrial sites mostly adopt a commercial frequency of 60 Hz, and workers handling these facilities are exposed to such extremely low frequency (ELF) fields for a long time. A previous study suggested that exposure to ELF electromagnetic fields with frequency ranges from 0 to 300 Hz, even for a short time, at densities higher than 100 μT may have harmful effects on human body as it affects the activation of nerve cells in the central nervous system by inducing an electric field and current and stimulating muscles and the nervous system in the body. Such studies, however, focused on home appliances used by ordinary people, and research on facilities utilizing high-capacity current and operated by workers at industrial sites is lacking. Therefore, in this study, a 3000 kilowatt generator, which is a high-capacity electric facility employed at industrial sites, was investigated, and the size of the magnetic fields generated during its no-load and high-load operations per distance to produce a map was measured to reveal spots deemed hazardous according to domestic and international exposure standards. The findings of this study is expected to alleviate workers' anxiety about the harmful effects of magnetic fields on their body and to minimize the level of exposure during operations.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.42-51
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• 2012

Objectives: To compare the exposure level of extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields among semiconductor workers, shipyard welders and office workers. Methods: To measure the ELF magnetic field concentration, EMDEX LITE (Enertech, USA) were used and monitored for eight hours continuously. Five companies handling the electric and magnetic field (EMF) source were investigated, which the exposure groups were classified into three groups: semiconductor workers, welders, and office workers. Welder group was chosen as a high exposed group and office group as a low exposed group. Results: The arithmetic mean (${\pm}SD$) and geometric mean (GSD) of personal exposure level of semiconductor workers were 0.73 (${\pm}1.33$) ${\mu}T$, 0.43 (2.88) ${\mu}T$, respectively. The ceiling value ranged between 0.18 and 123.2 ${\mu}T$. Welders were exposed high with the arithmetic mean value of 3.46 (${\pm}\;13.46$) ${\mu}T$ and geometric mean value of 0.45 (4.70) ${\mu}T$, respectively, and ceiling value range of 75.5~129.6 ${\mu}T$. The exposure levels of office workers were low compared to other exposed groups; the arithmetic mean 0.05 (${\pm}0.13$) ${\mu}T$, geometric mean 0.03 (2.38) ${\mu}T$ and ceiling value range 0.37~3.35 ${\mu}T$. This study revealed statistically significant differences of the mean ELF magnetic field exposure doses among three groups (p < 0.01). Conclusions: The average ELF magnetic field exposure doses of semiconductor workers were much higher than those of office workers in control group, but were lower than those of welders in high exposure group.

• Journal of electromagnetic engineering and science
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.142-150
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• 2015

Several reports supported that continuous exposure to 60 Hz magnetic field (MF) induces testicular germ cell apoptosis in vivo. We recently evaluated duration- and dose-dependent effects of continuous exposure to a 60 Hz MF on the testes in mice. BALB/c male mice were exposed to a 60 Hz MF at $100{\mu}T$ for 24 hours a day for 2, 4, 6, or 8 weeks, and at 2, 20 or $200{\mu}T$ for 24 hours a day for 8 weeks. To induce the apoptosis of testicular germ cell in mice, the minimum dose is $20{\mu}T$ at continuous exposure to a 60 Hz MF for 8 weeks, and the minimum duration is 6 weeks at continuous exposure of $100{\mu}T$. Continuous exposure to a 60 Hz MF might affect duration- and dose-dependent biological processes including apoptotic cell death and spermatogenesis in the male reproductive system of mice. The safety guideline of the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) indicates that the permissible maximum magnetic flux density for general public exposure is $200{\mu}T$ at 60 Hz EMF (ICNIRP Guidelines, 2010). In the present study, we aimed to examine the expression of pro- and anti-apoptotic genes regulated by the continuous exposure to 60 Hz at $200{\mu}T$ in Sprague-Dawley rats for 20 weeks. The continuous exposure to 60 Hz at $200{\mu}T$ does not affect the body and testicular weight in rats. However, exposure to 60 Hz MF significantly affects testicular germ cell apoptosis and sperm count. Further, the apoptosis-related gene was scrutinized after exposure to 60 Hz at $200{\mu}T$ for 20 weeks. We found that the message level of endonuclease G (EndoG) was greatly increased following the exposure to 60 Hz at $200{\mu}T$ compared with sham control. These data suggested that 60 Hz magnetic field induced testicular germ cell apoptosis through mitochondrial protein Endo G.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.71-81
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• 2005

The purposes of this study was to collect, analyze, and describe the MF exposure levels from subways in Korea and to measure and evaluate the MF levels generated from electric appliances used at general homes. The target subway lines were Seoul Metropolitan Line 1 to Line 8, Bundang Line, Incheon Line, Daegu Line, Gwangju Line, and Busan Line 1 and Line 2. We measured at each station in those subway lines and, all the train types (pantograph-equipped, motor-equipped, and common), and platform types(facing and isolating) were investigated by the distance(80, 200, 400 cm) from the train on 19 targeted subway lines using 3 magnetic field measuring devices (EMDEXII, Enertech Co.) during the survey from January till October, 2004. On the other hand, the levels of the 60Hz magnetic fields generated from 14 items of home electric appliances such as electric blankets, hair dryers, electric razors, etc. were measured at 10 general homes using 5 EMDEXII meters with a sampling interval of 1.5 second by the distance(surface, 30, 50, 100, 300cm ) from the target electric appliances. The survey results in the whole subway lines examined in this study were as follows; Seoul Metropolitan Line 4 using AC(alternating current) power source showed the highest mean value of $2.85{\mu}T$, followed by Seoul Metropolitan Line 1 running between Seoul and Incheon using AC($2.78{\mu}T$), Seoul Metropolitan Line 1 between Seoul and Uijongbu using AC($2.73{\mu}T$), Bundang Line using AC($1.79{\mu}T$), Seoul Metropolitan Line 1 connected from Yongsan using AC($1.67{\mu}T$), Seoul Metropolitan Line 1 between Seoul and Suwon using AC($0.79{\mu}T$), and so on. In general, the intensity of the magnetic field in the subway systems in Korea was significantly higher when using AC($2.14{\pm}0.91{\mu}T$) than when using DC($0.29{\pm}0.44{\mu}T$) power source. Among the home electric appliances examined, microwave ovens showed the highest mean value of $7.69{\mu}T$, followed by hair dryers($6.47{\mu}T$), vacuum cleaners($5.27{\mu}T$), televisions ($2.26{\mu}T$), electric blankets($1.38{\mu}T$), personal computers ($0.81{\mu}T$), and so on. Two items of electric appliances showed the excess value of $0.2{\mu}T$ at the distance of 30cm in the MF exposure level; electric razors $1.58{\pm}2.13{\mu}T$ and vacuum cleaners $0.48{\pm}0.44{\mu}T$. As a whole, this study showed a tendency that the shift of the MF levels according to the increase of distance from the electric appliances was lower than those of the results surveyed in UK and USA. As a result, this study is expected to suggest meaningful data for the future study in exposure assessment of magnetic fields and for the establishment of guidelines for subways and electric appliances in Korea. More detailed and large scaled exposure assessment studies should be performed continuously to get the various and useful information on health risk assessment of MFs in Korea.