Guidebook on Management of EMF Risks of Workers With Cardiac Pacemakers

摘要

In spite of the technical data on the sensitivity of modem pacemakers to low frequency magnetic field sources, the practical information concerning safe working conditions at various exposure situations has been very limited.. This creates great challenges at many workplaces because the number of workers with cardiac pacemakers and implantable cardioverterdefibrillators (ICD) is increasing rapidly, and the mean age of these persons is degreasing. The European electromagnetic field (EMF) directive (2004/40/EC) requires employers to consider specifically the factors that affect the health and safety of workers at particular risk, like persons with pacemakers. Also the unawareness of employers and doctors' of pacemaker patients may cause unnecessary caution and fear of EMF in the workplaces. This may lead to re-education or retirement of the worker which is, besides of the disadvantages to the worker, economically unprofitable for the employer as well as for the society. It is clear that this is a very difficult matter and employers strongly long for more and better-defined information [I].