Korean J Anesthesiol.  2000 Jan;38(1):118-122. 10.4097/kjae.2000.38.1.118.

How Much are Anesthesiologists Exposed to Electromagnetic Fields in Operating Rooms?

• Kim KJ
• Kim HD
• Nam YT
• Nam SH
• Kim DW
• Ryu CY
• Nam KC

• KMID: 2091499
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2000.38.1.118

Abstract

BACKGROUND: So many electronic devices have been introduced in the operating room. However, little was known about the hazards of electromagnetic fields (EMF) to the human body. We have studied about how much the anesthesiologists are exposed to EMF.
METHODS
In 19 operating rooms of our hospital, the intensity of magnetic fields was measured by an ELF (Extremely low frequency) field strength measurement system. The distances were 30 cm, 50 cm and the anesthesiologist's proximity to the monitoring devices.
RESULTS
The average strength of 19 operating rooms were 2.22 +/- 1.13 mG at 30 cm from the monitors, 1.29 +/- 0.84 mG at 50 cm and 1.00 +/- 0.78 mG at the anesthesiologist's stand.
CONCLUSIONS
We found that in some of our operating rooms the exposure to EMF was measured above Sweden's TCO limit which has been accepted as the EMF radiation rule for computer monitors. Although the hazards of EMF have not been definitely confirmed yet, the effort not to be exposed to EMF should be considered by anesthesiologists.

Keyword

Measurement techniques: extremely low frequency field strenghth measurement system; Operating rooms: magnetic field

MeSH Terms

Electromagnetic Fields*
Human Body
Magnetic Fields
Magnets*
Operating Rooms*