Authors
Bowman-JD; Ray-TK; Park-RM
Source
Am J Ind Med 2012 Nov; :[Epub ahead of print]
Abstract
Background: Magnetic fields (MF) from AC electricity are a Possible Human Carcinogen, based on limited epidemiologic evidence from exposures far below occupational health limits. Methods: To help formulate government guidance on occupational MF, the cancer cases prevented and the monetary benefits accruing to society by reducing workplace exposures were determined. Life-table methods produced Disability Adjusted Life Years, which were converted to monetary values. Results: Adjusted for probabilities of causality, the expected increase in a worker’s disability-free life are 0.04 year (2 weeks) from a 1 microtesla (microT) MF reduction in average worklife exposure, which is equivalent to $5,100/worker/microT in year 2010 U.S. dollars (95% confidence interval $1,000-$9,000/worker/mT). Where nine electrosteel workers had 13.8 microT exposures, for example, moving them to ambient MFs would provide $600,000 in benefits to society (uncertainty interval $0-$1,000,000). Conclusions: When combined with the costs of controls, this analysis provides guidance for precautionary recommendations for managing occupational MF exposures.
Keywords
Magnetic-fields; Magnetic-properties; Exposure-assessment; Risk-analysis; Brain-tumors; Leukemogenesis; Cancer; Electricity; Carcinogens; Epidemiology; Electromagnetic-energy; Electromagnetic-fields; Electromagnetic-radiation; Disabled-workers; Lifespan; Electric-power-transmission-lines;
Author Keywords: risk assessment; EMF; brain cancer; leukemia; DALY
Contact
Joseph Bowman, PhD, NIOSH, Mailstop R-5, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45226
Document Type
Journal Article
Email Address
jbowman@cdc.gov
Source Name
American Journal of Industrial Medicine