Employer's Exposure Risk to Electromagnetic Fields from Monitors of Computers in North of Iran

Overexposure to electromagnetic waves produces by computer cause health disorders by users. This study was performed to determine the employer's exposure risk to electromagnetic fields from monitors of computers in north of Iran

This descriptive-analytical study was performed on 100 of computers using by 100 employee users (69 males and 31 femals) with the mean age of 40.83±7.37 in Gomishan county, Golestan province in north of Iran during 2018. The intensity of the magnetic and electric field caused by computers was measured at 30, 50 and 60 cm intervals and in four directions from the front, back, right and left side of the monitor using SVENSK standard method. The intensity of fields was measured by TM-190 instrument. Data were compared with OEL (Occupational Exposure Limit), MPRII and TCO (The Swedish Confederation of Professional Employees). The NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) standard questionnaire was used to assess the side effects of working with computers. The health problems in employee users were recorded.

The mean±SD of the intensity of the electrical waves was 103.63±33.62 v/m that was less than the standard values. The mean±SD of the intensity of the magnetic waves was 0.1±0.09 mA/m that was higher than the TCO, MPRII standard values and less than OEL. The maximum magnetic-field invasion from the standard range with an average of 157.04 mA/m is on the front of the monitors, at a distance of 30 cm and the lowest of them with a mean of 19.2 mA/m for the off-mode computer and at a distance of 60 cm from the mantle. There was a significant difference between the time of working with computer in the day with burning eye, headache and eye fatigue. There were no significant difference of clinical symptoms in men and women and fatigue syndrome.

The electrical waves of monitor of computers were lower than standard limit in all studied conditions, but the magnetic waves were much higher than standard limit.