Exposure to low-frequency magnetic fields in everyday life

The presence of magnetic fields has increased significantly during the last hundred years due to technology development and increased consumption of electricity. Sweden follows recommended maximum values from the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), which are to prevent acute effects and are generally not exceeded in the environment. For long-term effects, such as increased cancer risk, today's knowledge is not sufficient to establish any limit values. The study aims to determine the variation of daily exposure of low-frequency magnetic fields in individuals with different occupations and living environments. Measurements of low-frequency magnetic fields were performed with an EMDEX-meter to get a 24-hour magnetic field exposure for ten test subjects. Measurement with an SMPS-meter was performed to measure magnetic fields at some common objects in the home environment that emit low frequency magnetic fields. The average value for exposure of low-frequency magnetic fields for 24-hours varied between 0.03–0.10 µT, exposure in the home environment varied between 0.00–0.17 µT, working environment varied between 0.02–0.27 µT, night environment varied between 0.00–0.09 µT. The daily mean values from the measurements are at what can be regarded as a normal exposure 0.01–0.20 µT. The average value that was picked up from home-, joband night-environment can be considered as normal exposure level. Based on the increased presence of electronics and magnetic fields and the lack of knowledge in the research on health effects, it may be interesting to discuss the introduction of further new technology, limit values, safety and supervision