Health Risk Assessment of Occupational Exposure to a Magnetic Field From Magnetic Resonance Imaging Devices

Health care staff who operate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) devices are exposed to a static magnetic field of significant spatial heterogenity always produced by MRI magnets during the whole shift. They can also be exposed to pulses of a time-varying magnetic field (gradient field) present only during patients’ examinations. The level of the workers’ exposure depends both on the type of the magnet and on the ergonomic design of each MRI device.

The paper presents methods used for measuring and assessing workers’ exposure. It also discusses the results of inspection measurements carried out next to approximately 20 MRI devices of approximately 0.2–2.0 T. The presented characteristic and overview of the variability of workers’ exposure to a variety of MRI devices supports the need for data on monitoring occupational exposure to MRI. International exposure assessment standards and guidelines (International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection [ICNIRP], Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers [IEEE], American Conference of Governmental and Industrial Hygienists [ACGIH], European Commission directive), and those established in Poland are also compared.     

Occupational exposure to power frequency fields in some electrical transformation stations in Romania.

The aim of this study is to investigate the levels of electric and magnetic power frequency fields at 8 electrical transformation stations in the North-East counties of Romania and to check their compliance with standards. Spot measurements were carried out on both electric and magnetic fields under overhead conductors of 110-, 220- and 380-kV installations. The magnetic field levels were several orders of magnitude below the reference level for occupational exposure set by ICNIRP (International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation) or by Romanian regulations. In contrast, the electric field levels were about the same order of magnitude as the reference levels. In 2 electrical stations the reference level of 10 kV/m was exceeded at specific locations within the outdoor installations area. However, the additional reference level for short-time exposure included in Romanian regulations, 30 kV/m, was not exceeded.     

Experimental analysis of radiographer exposure to the static field from a 1.5-T magnetic resonance imaging machine

Introduction. This study measures the exposure of occupational therapists from a 1.5-T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine. Method. A total of 14 time-series on each of the chest, head and hand were taken before and after different MRI procedures. The peak values were noted in each case together with an average of all data recorded in the time-series. Results. The highest exposure recorded was observed on the hand, followed by the head and the chest. The overall maximum exposure (1479.40?mT) recorded was observed on the hand during a change of coil. It was also observed that the recorded exposure of experienced radiographers working in the MRI environment was less than that of junior staff due to different practices. Conclusion. This study is of significant importance in Malta since it is the first conducted in a MRI environment, especially because the results were compared with limits imposed by EU Directive 2013/35/EU which has to be implemented by July 2016.     

Magnetic fields of induction heaters in the framework of directive 2004/40/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council.

The spectrum and the polarization of the magnetic flux density (B-field) of 6 induction heaters and 1 arc oven were measured by means of a PMM (Italy) spectrum analyser. The spectrum analysis showed that no substantial harmonics were observed while the polarization analysis revealed that the operator's exposure was non-homogeneous within a distance of 1.5 m from the heater. When the distance was larger, the body was homogeneously exposed. In general we can state that the B-field strongly varied between heaters and that exposure exceeded the occupational reference levels recommended by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) (1998) and European Directive 2004/40/EC in 5 of the 7 heaters. Within the framework of the Directive some protection actions should be taken. Whereas mitigation of existing/old induction ovens is difficult, the design of new induction heaters and their housing should be based, among others, on electromagnetic reducing engineering concepts.     

EU Directive, ICNIRP guidelines and Polish legislation on electromagnetic fields.

This review describes the general provisions of and the philosophy behind European Directive 2004/40/EC and ICNIRP (International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection) guidelines. As an example of national legislation on the protection of workers against excessive electromagnetic field exposure, regulations established in Poland are summarized. The problems of a practical implementation of the Directive's provisions are discussed.     

EU Directive,ICNIRP Guidelines and Polish Legislation on Electromagnetic Fields

This review describes the general provisions of and the philosophy behind European Directive 2004/40/EC and ICNIRP (International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection) guidelines. As an example of national legislation on the protection of workers against excessive electromagnetic field exposure, regulations established in Poland are summarized. The problems of a practical implementation of the Directive’s provisions are discussed.     

A case study on the influence of a magnetic shielding retrofit on the static magnetic field present in a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) suite

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to assess whether the practice of retro-fitting passive magnetic shielding to Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) suites is effective in retaining the 0.5 mT footprint of the static magnetic field to within its designed position.MethodologyThe research methodology involved identification of an MRI installation where passive magnetic shielding was to be fitted to an installation already in operational use. Site based physical measurements of the magnetic flux density of the static field were then taken both ante and post installation of the shielding, so as to be able to determine its effectiveness.FindingsThe results identified areas in the retrofitted magnetic shielding where, as a result of its design, hot spots in excess of 0.5 mT occurred.Practical implicationsThis research highlights design, construction and safety issues that the designer could, if he had this prior knowledge, have eliminated at source.ValueAt the planning stage of a new MRI suite, designers could use the information contained in this research as part of their design risk management process. This research serves to demonstrate the importance of eliminating any possible future need to install retrofitted passive magnetic shielding to an original MRI suite design. It also shows the need for designers to identify the location of any hot spots in the shielding installation where the magnetic flux density may exceed 0.5 mT and become a potential hazard to those individuals fitted with heart pacemakers or other electronic body implants.     

Heuristic job rotation procedures for reducing daily exposure to occupational hazards

This paper discusses 2 heuristic job rotation procedures for preventing industrial workers from being excessively exposed to ergonomics and safety hazards in their workplaces. The objective of the procedures is 2-fold: (a) to find a minimum number of workers required for the given set of jobs, and (b) to determine a set of safe worker-job-period assignments such that all workers' exposure to hazard does not exceed the permissible limit. Here, occupational hazards are divided into 2 categories: single- and variable-limit hazards. In the first category, workers are considered to have equal capability to withstand the hazard; in the second category, the limit of hazard exposure varies for different individuals. Numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the procedures.     

Design of optimal noise hazard control strategy with budget constraint.

An analytical design procedure to determine optimal noise hazard control strategies for industrial facilities is presented. Its objective is to determine a set of appropriate noise controls to eliminate or reduce noise levels so that workers' daily noise exposure does not exceed a permissible level. From a given noise control budget, engineering controls will be firstly implemented, followed by administrative controls, and then the use of hearing protection devices. Six optimization models are developed and sequentially applied to select appropriate noise controls without exceeding the budget. Numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the application of the proposed design procedure.     

Occupational exposure to electric and magnetic fields during tasks at ground or floor level at 110 kV substations in Finland

The aim was to investigate occupational exposure to electric and magnetic fields during tasks at ground or floor level at 110?kV substations in Finland and to compare the measured values to Directive 2013/35/EU. Altogether, 347 electric field measurements and 100 magnetic field measurements were performed. The average value of all electric fields was 2.3?kV/m (maximum 6.4?kV/m) and that of magnetic fields was 5.8?µT (maximum 51.0?µT). It can be concluded that the electric and magnetic field exposure at ground or floor level is typically below the low action levels of Directive 2013/35/EU. The transposition of the directive will not create new needs to modify the work practice of the evaluated tasks, which can continue to be performed as before. However, for workers with medical implants, the exposure may be high enough to cause interference.     

Effect of loss control service on reported injury incidence

INTRODUCTION: A retrospective analysis evaluated the effectiveness of an insurance carrier's flexible loss control service strategy in reducing workers' compensation policyholders' reported injury and illness claims. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of a loss control service strategy on workers' compensation claim frequency rates, on medical-only claim rates, on severity-claim rates, and on claim cost among a group of California employers. METHODS: Eighty-two small- and medium-sized companies with workers' compensation policies expiring in 1999 were randomly selected from a population of policyholders assigned to loss control consultants for two or more years. Claim performance data were obtained for each company's first expired in-force policy year and its 1999 expired policy year. The retrospective design was combined with a control component based on a randomly selected comparison group of 45 companies whose first policy year with the insurer expired in 1999 and who received safety services from the loss control staff. RESULTS: The flexible loss control consultation service strategy was associated with lower average claim rates and costs. Companies assigned to a loss control consultant for two or more years (the "outcome group") had an average claim rate of 1.24 per $10,000 premium, compared with a rate of 1.62 in the "initial group" and a rate of 1.60 in the "comparison group." The average severity-claim rate of the outcome group was 0.32, compared with the initial-year and comparison-group means of 0.48 and 0.46, respectively. The average medical-only claim rate was 0.92, compared with the initial- and comparison-group means of 1.14 and 1.14. The outcome group's average loss ratio was over 10% lower than that of the initial and comparison groups. Statistical analysis indicated that differences among the groups' claim rates and severity-claim rates were [F=(2,206) 4.938, P=0.008] and [F=(2,206) 8.208, P<0.001], respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A loss control service strategy that provides service flexibility and develops partnership between employer and consultant can help reduce the frequency and severity of workers' compensation claims. Barriers to consultation service flexibility, both internal and external, should be identified and removed to enhance service efficacy.     

Assumptions beyond the science: encouraging cautious conclusions about functional magnetic resonance imaging research on organizational behavior

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is likely to become the major tool for studying the neural underpinnings of organizational behavior. It is a technique for brain imaging that, according to advocates, provides information about which areas of the brain are activated during organizational processes (e.g., leadership and decision‐making). In this article, we take a critical look at this tool from a technical perspective. In particular, we take the reader through the assumptions that must be made at the three main steps of the research process (study design, data capture, and interpretation of results) in order to draw conclusions about organizational phenomena from fMRI research. Applying this analysis to three case studies demonstrates the gap between what fMRI can actually tell us and the claims often made about the contribution of fMRI to understanding and improving organizational behavior. Our discussion provides researchers with a series of recommendations oriented toward optimizing the use of fMRI to help it live up to its potential in the field of organizational behavior and consumers with a means of evaluating fMRI research in order to draw appropriate and warranted conclusions. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

ILO成立九十年——致力于自由、平等、安全、体面工作

国际劳工组织（International Labour Organization,简称ILO）成立于1919年,是联合国专门机构之一,致力于在自由、平等、安全和具备人性尊严的条件下,使男性和妇女获得体面而有价值的工作机会。它的主要目标是倡导工作中的基本权利,创造体面的就业机会,加强包括职业安全卫生在内的社会保护,并就有关问题加强社会对话。中国是国际劳工组织的创始成员国之一。     

7 mT static magnetic exposure enhanced synthesis of poly-3-hydroxybutyrate by activated sludge at low temperature and high acetate concentration

The effect of 7 mT (milliTesla) SMF (static magnetic field) on poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) production was studied at an acetate concentration of 260 Cmmol l^?1 and temperature of 10 °C. The SMF decreased the specific acetate uptake rate by 29%, but increased the maximum PHB content and the yield of PHB on acetate by 32 and 28% respectively. The ratio q_P/(q_S ? q_P), which described specific PHB production rate over the difference between specific acetate uptake rate and specific PHB production rate, was introduced for evaluation of the ratio of carbon flux into PHB synthesis and into the TCA (tricarboxylic acid) cycle. This value reached 2.3 when activated sludge culture was exposed to magnetic field of 7 mT, which was 1.1 times higher than the q_P/(q_S ? q_P) value obtained without magnetic exposure. Therefore, the SMF promoted diversion of more acetyl-CoA towards PHB synthesis and could offset adverse effects of high acetate concentration and low temperature. These results provide evidence that SMF enhances PHB production by activated sludge.     

Costs of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in developing countries: Colombia case.

The real burden of occupational diseases, specifically work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), and its impact on workers' productivity is not known. The situation is critical in developing countries where only cases that cause workers' disability are recorded. In this study, the incidence of MSDs in Colombia was estimated by using the age and gender specific double incidence rate of repetitive strain injuries diseases in Finland for 2002. The results showed that the estimated number of MSDs recorded in Colombia during 2005 was 23,477 cases at the rate of 11.6 cases per 10,000 workers. The estimated total cost of these MSD cases relative to workers' productivity was 171.7 million US Dollars, representing around 0.2% of Colombia's Gross Domestic Product for 2005. The systematic appraisal of the incidence of MSDs and their associated cost on workers' productivity are necessary in developing countries to reduce the costly impact on productivity and to increase workers' well-being.     

辐射防护标准的历史回顾和ICRP1990年新建议书

国际放射防护委员会(ICRP)是非官方国际学术权威团体。目前世界各国制订自己的辐射防护标准都参考ICRP的建议。ICRP自1928年组建以来,关于辐射防护标准的总建议发布了四次。即第1、2号出版物(1958年,1959年),第6、9号出版物(1962年,1965年),第26号出版物(1977年),第60号出版物(1990年)。本文概述了ICRP历次制订辐射防护标准的原则和依据。ICRP的辐射防护指导思想变化代表了不同历史时期放射生物学、辐射剂量学及与辐射防护有关的其他学科的国际水平。ICRP研究辐射防护标准的历史经验可供其他行业劳动保护参考。     

可变径管道漏磁检测有限元仿真与实验研究

为了更好地支持压力管道检验,降低事故率,本文基于漏磁检测原理,利用有限元分析软件建立了管道外漏磁检测模型,对管道漏磁检测进行了仿真计算,得到了缺陷处漏磁场特征曲线,模拟了圆柱形缺陷对管道外壁漏磁场的影响,得出了不同参数缺陷对漏磁场的影响规律,并且基于理论和有限元计算结果试制了可变径管道外漏磁检测仪的样机,利用该检测仪对壁厚为8mm的带有人工缺陷的管道进行扫描检测,研究不同参数缺陷对漏磁场信号的影响规律。结果表明,所得结果与有限元仿真的结果吻合良好,且缺陷检测精度及效果满足要求,另外,检测装置对内外壁缺陷检测同样可行有效,适合特种设备（压力管道）检测的工程应用。     

A shell-based magnetic field model for magnetic proximity detection systems

Several magnetic proximity detection systems have been developed for mining vehicles and mobile machinery to protect nearby workers. Magnetic field generators are often used in these systems to establish magnetic fields around the equipment. A sensor worn by a worker provides a measurement of the magnetic flux density that is used to estimate the proximity to the machine. The proximity detection systems currently available for underground mining equipment are capable of identifying whether a worker is near the machine. However, it is a challenge for these systems to accurately locate the worker. Mining machines, which have fast-moving, articulated parts, present hazards that change depending on the situation at hand as well as the specific location of the worker. In addition, the dynamic nature and confined spaces of the mining environment often demand that the workers be close to the machinery. Therefore, in many cases, simply knowing the proximity of a worker may be inadequate. To provide the most effective protection, it would be advantageous to know the worker’s exact location relative to specific parts of the machine. To lay the foundation for measuring such a location, we have developed a shell-based model of the magnetic flux density distribution for a ferrite-cored generator. This paper will present an analysis of the model along with a model construction process. Also presented are the laboratory test results of a prototype system that implements this model to determine the exact location of a magnetic sensor using the fields from two generators.     

基于磁场理论的矿岩加载损伤破坏表征研究

充填体与围岩的相互力学作用,除了接触带表壁附近可以通过贴置电阻应变片的方式进行应变值测量外,接触面及接触带附近的损伤破坏情况不易监测。基于此,应用磁场理论,将磁粉加入到配比试样中,充磁之后进行加载试验。通过特斯拉计测量试样表壁在加载过程中的磁感应强度变化,建立由表及里的损伤破坏联系规律。试验结果表明:加了磁粉的配比试样,在加载过程中各监测点处的磁感应强度值变化明显,特别是在内部裂纹扩展至临空面处的磁感应强度几乎减小至0.2 mT以下;而试样在加载过程中,各监测点的磁感应强度值随着压密破坏而变化;在未破坏时,不同区域有较一致的随试样内部压密相应磁感应强度增大的变化规律,而在试样加载破坏后,不同监测点磁感应强度变化起伏较大。