RF EXPOSURE AND MELATONIN LEVELS IN HEAT-SEALER WORKERS

我们建议进行一项全面的研究，电磁场（EMF）暴露在一个大的人口的射频（RF）热辐射操作员和监测褪黑激素的变化，一个建议的生物标志物的响应电磁场。 本研究的工作假设是，褪黑激素水平将降低暴露于RF场的受试者，在模拟褪黑激素的剂量依赖性减少，我们已经观察到以前在公用事业工人的模式。 这项研究将是迄今为止对射频热辐射工作者进行的最详细的暴露调查。 这项研究将是第一个使用最先进的全轮班个人监测记录不同的暴露于射频和工频电磁场在这个工人群体。 这也将是第一个研究生物标志物对射频场的反应。 这项研究将作出强有力的贡献，提高射频暴露评估使用个人剂量。 我们将使用基于任务的暴露评估与时间活动信息，以确定任务，最有助于暴露。 这将有助于确定可能的工程变更或其他控制措施的重要暴露情景。 我们建议使用两种新的仪器，一种将表征在操作员和第二个感应脚电流测量的电场和磁场分量。 感应体电流在自由活动受试者中的应用是一种新的RF剂量测定方法，可以扩展到本申请之外。 许多其他暴露于射频的职业人群将受益于射频暴露评估的改进，使用射频频谱的新兴技术将增加工人暴露的可能性。了解工作人群中RF的改进个人监测方法的优点和局限性，将为这些新兴技术中的工人暴露评估提供新的工具。

We propose to conduct a comprehensive study of electromagnetic field (EMF) exposures in a large population of radiofrequency (RF) heat sealer operators and monitor changes in melatonin, a proposed biomarker of response to EMF. The working hypothesis of this study is that melatonin levels will decrease in the subjects exposed to RF fields, in a pattern that mimics the dose-dependent decrease in melatonin we have observed previously in utility workers. This study will be the most detailed exposure survey of RF heat sealer workers to date. This study will be the first to use state-of-the-art full-shift personal monitoring to document the diverse exposures to RF and power-frequency EMFs in this worker population. This also will be the first study to examine biomarkers in response to RF fields. This study will make a strong contribution to improving RF exposure assessment using personal dosimetry. We will use task-based exposure assessment with time-activity information to identify tasks that contribute most to exposures. This will help identify important exposure scenarios for possible engineering changes or other controls. We propose to use two novel instruments, one that will characterize the induced foot currents in the operators and the second to measure the electric and magnetic field components. The application of induced body currents for free ranging subjects is a novel approach to RF dosimetry that can extend beyond the present application. Many other RF exposed occupational populations exist that would benefit from improvements in RF exposure assessment, and emerging technologies that use the RF spectrum will increase the potential for worker exposures. Understanding the benefits and limitations of improved personal monitoring methods for RF in a working population will provide new tools for worker exposure assessment in these emerging technologies.