Occupational Exposure of Train Drivers to Static and Extremely Low Frequency Magnetic Fields in Tehran Subway

Electrification of transport systems currently deserves top priority in Iran. Such systems generate a magnetic field in static or extremely low frequency ranges. Therefore, train drivers may be exposed to these fields occupationally.
The current study aimed to measure the intensity of static magnetic field (SMF) and extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) in the subway trains of Tehran City in different train types and situations to show drivers’ exposure to SMF and ELF-MF.
Two AC and DC trains were randomly selected from lines 1 and 2, one AC train from line 4, and two ACi trains from line 5. The SMF and ELF-MF levels were measured based on BS EN 50500:2008 and recommendations in other studies using TES-1394 (ELF-MF meter) and HI-3550 (SMF meter). Ceiling values of ELF-MF and SMF were used for assessment of train driver’s exposure. One-way ANOVA, with Tukey post hoc test, and independent sample T-test were used for data analysis.
Maximum SMF and ELF-MF exposures were 0.52 mT (at DC trains- in trip situation) and 7.90 µT (at ACi trains- in trip situation), respectively, and the minimum exposures to SMF and ELF-MF were measured among the drivers of ACi ( As the obtained results suggest, in none of the situations, exposure of train drivers to ELF-MF and SMF exceeded the threshold limits recommended by ACGIH. However, the effects of these fields should not be ignored because different studies have reported adverse health consequences of these fields.