Exposure limits for ultra-short wave radiation in work environments.

Zhao Z, Zhang S, Wang S, Yao Z, Zho H, Tao S, Tao L,

Rev Environ Health 10(3-4):217-220, 1994

Exposure limit values for ultra-short wave radiation of humans were derived on the basis of epidemiological survey and experimental exposure of rabbits. Eighteen male rabbits were divided into 4 groups randomly. Three groups were irradiated with ultra-short waves (100 MHz) at 35, 1.5-3.5, and 0.07 mW/cm² power density in an E-polarized TEM Cell at 24 +/- 4 degrees C ambient temperature. The last group in a sham chamber served as controls.

Irradiation was performed 3 hours per day, 5 days per week for 24 weeks. Thermal effects occurred in the group irradiated at 35 mW/cm². The thermal threshold limit value was set at 1.5 mW/cm².

An epidemiological survey was carried out on 136 factory workers and TV operators exposed over one year to ultra-short wave radiation at 0.2 mW/cm². They were compared with 108 controls.

The only complaint of the exposed group was neurosis. The exposure limit value (ELV) to short wave radiation was set at 0.2 mW/cm² by using a 15- and 20-fold safety factor.