• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.63 no.11
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• pp.422-428
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• 2020

In today's world, most children are exposed to various manmade electromagnetic fields (EMFs). EMFs are electromagnetic waves less than 300 GHz. A developing child's brain is vulnerable to electromagnetic radiation; thus, their caregivers' concerns about the health effects of EMFs are increasing. EMF exposure is divided into 2 categories: extremely low frequencies (ELFs; 3-3,000 Hz), involving high-voltage transmission lines and in-house wiring; and radiofrequencies (RFs; 30 kHz to 300 GHz), involving mobile phones, smart devices, base stations, WiFi, and 5G technologies. The biological effects of EMFs on humans include stimulation, thermal, and nonthermal, the latter of which is the least known. Among the various health issues related to EMFs, the most important issue is human carcinogenicity. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer's (IARC's) evaluation of carcinogenic risks to humans, ELFs and RFs were evaluated as possible human carcinogens (Group 2B). However, the World Health Organization's (WHO's) view of EMFs remains undetermined. This article reviews the current knowledge of EMF exposure on humans, specifically children. EMF exposure sources, biological effects, current WHO and IARC opinions on carcinogenicity, and effects of EMF exposures on children will be discussed. As well-controlled EMF experiments in children are nearly impossible, scientific knowledge should be interpreted objectively. Precautionary approaches are recommended for children until the potential health effects of EMF are confirmed.

• 제어로봇시스템학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2004.08a
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• pp.181-184
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• 2004

There are reports showing that electromagnetic fields (EMFs) emitted at non-thermal levels may be associated with biological alterations in target cells. In this study it is objected to assess the potential influences of EMFs produced by cellular phones on fetal heart rate. Non Stress Test (NST) is a widely used method of fetal monitoring and assessing fetal health and well-being. Sixty volunteers with uncomplicated term pregnancies were studied by a Spacelabs AM-67 Doppler ultrasound monitor. Fetal Heart Rate recordings were obtained while there were no Cellular Phone around for 10 minutes. Afterwards, all patients were exposed to EMFs for 10 minutes. NST was performed while they were holding the CP on stand-by mode and then on dialing mode, each for 5 minutes. The recordings were analyzed with respect to baseline heart rate, accelerations and decelerations. The Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-ranks test was used to compare these variables. The results indicate that EMFs emitted by CP do not cause any demonstrable effects on baseline FHR, acceleration or deceleration.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.264-271
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• 1998

A pilot study was undertaken to examine the possible health effects of electromagnetic fields(EMFs). The purpose of this study was to investigate of the EMFs exposures of personal environment, 60Hz magnetic fields. An experimental study was performed for six weeks of January-February 1998 to compare changes in melatonin levels in urine of 20 subjects during their normal sleeping hours and each 20 subjects in occupational and non-occupational group measured personal 24-h continual exposure, using EMDEX II (for 40-800Hz, Enertech Consultant, Inc.). An urine samples were collected 3 times a day(before sleep or around 24:00 ; immediately after wake-up ; around noon) for an week from each subjects and analyzed by radioimmunoassay. This study did not significant difference for the subjective average melatonin levels between occupational and nonoccupational groups exposed to electromagnetic fields. The mean personal exposure levels of occupational group were $0.215{\mu}T$, whereas non-occupational group were $0.18{\mu}T$. Occupational group were exposed more highly while at work. Finally, this study would provide significant data for furture study of exposure assessment of magnetic fields. A large scale study concerning more detailed exposure assessment should provide important information on health risk assessment of MFs. Further study should provide information on the contribution of various sources and the relationship between melatonin and immune system activity.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.156-159
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• 2013

Background: Cardiac pacemakers are known to be susceptible to strong electromagnetic fields (EMFs). This in vivo study investigated occurrence of electromagnetic interference with pacemakers caused by common environmental sources of EMFs. Methods: Eleven volunteers with a pacemaker were exposed to EMFs produced by two mobile phone base stations, an electrically powered commuter train, and an overhead high voltage transmission lines. All the pacemakers were programmed in normal clinically selected settings with bipolar sensing and pacing configurations. Results: None of the pacemakers experienced interference in any of these exposure situations. However, often it is not clear whether or not strong EMFs exist in various work environments, and hence an individual risk assessment is needed. Conclusions: Modern pacemakers are well shielded against external EMFs, and workers with a pacemaker can most often return to their previous work after having a pacemaker implanted. However, an appropriate risk assessment is still necessary after the implantation of a pacemaker, a change of its generator, or major modification of its programming settings.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.130-135
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• 1997

A pilot study was undertaken to examine the possible health effects of electromagnetic fields (EMFs). An experimental study was performed for two weeks of preexposure, exposure, postexposure period of February-May 1997 to determine changes in melatonin levels in urine of five volunteers before or after exposure to electric mattress during their normal sleeping hours. An urine sample was collected at about 8 a.m. right after getting up from each volunteer. Average melatonin levels seemed to be 1.6 times lower during EMF exposure period for two weeks than the corresponding levels during preexposure period. Mean melatonin levels in postexposure period were lower than the corresponding levels in preexposure period. It suggested that melatonin levels were likely to take more two weeks for recovering the preexposure melatonin level. Further research is underway with regard to EMF exposure effects on melatonin levels between occupational and nonoccupational groups.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.376-384
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• 2014

Objective: The purpose of this study is to compare the health status of residents who were exposed to sources of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) in the living environment and those who were not exposed to such a source of ELF-EMFs through a survey designed to appraise the residents' health levels. Method: Aimed at 251 residents exposed to a source of ELF-EMFs and 278 residents not exposed to a source, the survey was conducted to investigate the health status of the residents on the basis of questionnaire SF-36. Result: The health status scores of residents exposed to ELF-EMFs turned out to be lower than those of their counterparts. In terms of self-reported symptoms related to health and sleep quality, residents exposed to ELF-EMFs were found to have a higher complaint rate of self-reported symptoms such as dizziness, depression, and fatigue. Regarding sleep disorders, residents exposed to ELF-EMFs appeared to have a slightly higher complaint rate of sleep disorders compared to non-exposed residents. Conclusion: If a region is to be exposed to a source of ELF-EMFs, a more proactive policy for reducing such exposure is advised. In addition, it is necessary to better understand problems of residents by emplacing an ELF-EMFs risk information delivery system and building an efficient communication system for voluntary participation during the construction phase.

• The Journal of Korean Institute of Electromagnetic Engineering and Science
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.687-697
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• 1998

In spite of increasing public concern about the human exposure to electric and magnetic fields(EMFs), there is little information about the EMF levels in the vicinity of power facilities and of home appliances. To provide such information, a nationwide survey for EMFs near overhead transmission lines has been conducted. The median values of the electric fields and magnetic fields of 153 transmission lines were 0.47 kV/m and 11.6 mG, respectively. The maximum values were 3.16 kV/m and 125 mG. These were low values in comparison with any EMF guidelines or standards of advanced contries. Measurements of the magnetic fields of typical home appliances and daily human exposure records have been also conducted. These magnetic field values were comparable to those of the transmission lines.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.749-755
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• 2001

High Electromagnetic Field (EMF) with an intensity of 1 mT (Tesla) inhibited the growth of both human normal lung and immune T cell down to $20-30\%$, compared to that of an unexposed case. The human T-cells, Jurkat, were more severely affected by EMF than the human lung cells, which showed a relatively slow cell growth and substantial releas of $Ca^+2$ (3.5 times higher than the human T-cells). However, the growth of hepatoma carcinoma, Hep3B, was enhanced by twice that of an unexposed case. The EMF intensity and exposure time did not affect the growth of the cancer cells very much, while it significantly affected the growth of normal cells. Accordingly, it is possible that EMFs may play a role in the initiation of cancer. The EMFs disturbed the signal transduction and membrane systems, such that a five times higher amount of PKC-${\alpha}$ was released from the cell membrane than in the control. Extended exposure to EMFs, for more than 48 hours, also led to 1 $90\%$ necrotic death pattern from apoptotic cell death. Finally, EMF at an intensity of 1mT with a 24-T exposure promoted the differentiation of HL-60 cells to monocytes/macrophages, possibly causing potential acute leukemia.

• Proceedings of the KOSOMBE Conference
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• v.1997 no.05
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• pp.299-302
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• 1997

Recently, many people are interested in the electromagnetic fields(EMF), so we measured the strength of electromagnetic fields in the carriages of national railways and subways. We also measured on the platforms of national railways and subways. The strength of EMFs on the platforms of national railways was stronger than that of subway's platforms. EMF measured on the platform during railway carriage's arriving and leaving was stronger than that without carriages. The strength of the magnetic fields in the carriages of national railways was measured stronger than that of subway's carriage while national railway is run by AC while subway is run by DC. Also The strength of the subway line 8 were measured stronger two to three times than others.

• The Journal of Korean Institute of Electromagnetic Engineering and Science
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• v.25 no.9
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• pp.879-885
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• 2014

In this paper, we designed and fabricated wideband 3-axis isotropic antenna for the Electro-Magnetic Fields(EMFs) measurement. Each part of proposed 3-axis antenna has isotropic characteristics and arbitrary axis of proposed 3-axis antenna could be selectable using RF switch. Also, a resistor was inserted in each axis of proposed 3-axis antenna for improving antenna gain and noise suppression characteristics, and port impedance of each dipole antenna were matched by balun. For the performance verification of antenna, GTEM Cell which generates standard electromagnetic field was used for the derivation of antenna factor and receiver sensitivity. As a result, fabricated 3-axis isotropic antenna has receiver sensitivity of 0.12~4.2 mV/m and typical VSWR of 3.3:1 within a wide operation frequency range from 0.03 MHz to 3 GHz.