ELECTROMAGNETIC-FIELDS IN THE HOME

The public are interested in knowing the sources of domestic magnetic and electric fields to help determine whether exposure to these fields causes ill health and in particular, to provide a measure of the elec tromagnetic environment for an epidemiological survey. First, consider ation should be given to the various factors to be borne in mind conce rning fields, exposure and kinds of measurements to be taken. Resident ial measurements consist of a series of spot readings recorded inside frequently occupied rooms. Each spot measurement consists of a single maximum magnetic flux reading recorded by a direct reading instrument at a fixed location and time. Second, remarks on the different sources of fields in the home are made and finally, comments on approaches to quantitative surveys are illustrated, Magnetic field recordings in di fferent locations and current recordings in different conductors assoc iated with each residence over a one-day time period was also successf ully carried out. Residential 60 Hz magnetic field sources are identif ied, including: nearby transmission and distribution lines, residentia l grounding system currents and unusual wiring configurations. Applian ces, as magnetic field sources, were also measured. The purpose of thi s paper is to put into perspective the dominant magnetic fields to whi ch people are exposed. The data presented here an useful for understan ding the magnetic field levels that can be encountered in various plac es and for estimating possible residential exposure levels. (C) 1998 E lsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.