Walk-Through Survey Report on Industrial Hygiene and Epidemiologic Evaluation of Potential Cohort Exposed to RF (Radiofrequency) Radiation from Dielectric Heat Sealers at Travenol Laboratories, Inc., Mountain Home, Arkansas

摘要

Worker exposures to radiofrequency (RF) radiation were determined at Travenol Laboratories, Inc. (SIC-3079) in Mountain Home, Arkansas on February 17, 1981. The company was under consideration for inclusion in a NIOSH study of health effects of occupational RF exposure. Approximately 300 of the employees at the facility were assigned to the heat sealing operations that were surveyed. A formal industrial hygiene program was in effect and a safety program is administered by the safety coordinator. Personnel and medical records have been maintained for all employees since the factory began production. One of the six heat sealers generated a magnetic field in excess of 0.5 amps per meter and none exceeded electric field strength guidelines of 200 volts per meter. The authors conclude that the population should not be selected as a study cohort since most of the electric and magnetic field strengths are less than 30 percent of current OSHA standards.