8,700 Studies Reviewed. 87.0% Found Biological Effects. The Evidence is Clear.
Shield Your Body
Radio Frequency

RF exposure during use of electrosurgical units Electromag.

Bioeffects Seen

Liljestrand B, Sandström M, Hansson Mild K. · 2003

View Original Abstract
Share:

Surgeons' hands experience RF exposures 25 times higher than safety guidelines during electrosurgery procedures.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers measured radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields around electrosurgical units (devices used in surgery to cut and seal tissue) operating at 0.3-1 MHz frequencies. They found that surgeons' hands are exposed to electric fields exceeding 15,000 volts per meter and magnetic fields of 16 microtesla during typical use. These exposure levels are 25 times higher for electric fields and 4 times higher for magnetic fields than international safety guidelines recommend.

Why This Matters

This study reveals a significant occupational EMF exposure that most people never consider. Surgeons using electrosurgical units face RF field exposures that dramatically exceed international safety guidelines during routine procedures. The electric field exposure of 15,000 V/m is particularly striking, as it's 25 times higher than the recommended limit of 610 V/m at this frequency. What makes this research important is that it demonstrates how certain professional activities can create intense, localized EMF exposures that far surpass what most of us encounter in daily life. While the study doesn't investigate health outcomes directly, the fact that occupational exposures routinely exceed safety guidelines raises questions about long-term effects on surgical staff who use these devices regularly throughout their careers.

Exposure Details

Magnetic Field
0.016 mG
Source/Device
0.3–5 MHz and 0.3 to 1 MHz

Exposure Context

This study used 0.016 mG for magnetic fields:

Building Biology guidelines are practitioner-based limits from real-world assessments. BioInitiative Report recommendations are based on peer-reviewed science. Check Your Exposure to compare your own measurements.

Where This Falls on the Concern Scale

Study Exposure Level in ContextStudy Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 0.016 mGExtreme Concern - 5 mGFCC Limit - 2,000 mGEffects observed in the No Concern rangeFCC limit is 125,000x higher than this level
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 1 MHz - 5 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 1 MHz - 5 MHzPower lines50/60 HzCell phones~1 GHzWiFi2.4 GHz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

The aim of this study is to investigate RF exposure during use of electrosurgical units Electromag.

In this study we have measured the levels of RF fields near the lead wires of two electrosurgical un...

Using those measurements as a base, the calculated local exposure of the surgeon's hand was estimate...

Cite This Study
Liljestrand B, Sandström M, Hansson Mild K. (2003). RF exposure during use of electrosurgical units Electromag. Biol. Med. 22:129-132, 2003.
Show BibTeX
@article{b_2003_rf_exposure_during_use_1154,
  author = {Liljestrand B and Sandström M and Hansson Mild K.},
  title = {RF exposure during use of electrosurgical units Electromag.},
  year = {2003},
  doi = {10.1081/JBC-120024622},
  url = {https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1081/JBC-120024622},
}
DOI: 10.1081/JBC-120024622

Cited By (15 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, electrosurgical units expose surgeons to significant EMF levels. Research found that surgeons' hands receive electric fields of 15,000 volts per meter during typical use, which is 25 times higher than international safety guidelines recommend for these frequencies.
Electrosurgical equipment exposes doctors to radiofrequency radiation exceeding safety guidelines. A 2003 study measured electric fields 25 times higher and magnetic fields 4 times higher than international reference levels during normal surgical procedures.
Electrocautery devices create RF radiation exposure that exceeds international safety guidelines. Surgeons' hands experience electric fields of 15,000 V/m and magnetic fields of 16 microtesla, significantly above recommended levels for these frequencies.
Electrosurgical tools expose surgeons to EMF levels far exceeding safety guidelines. Research shows electric field exposure 25 times higher than recommended limits, with surgeons' hands receiving the highest exposure during tissue cutting and sealing procedures.
Surgical RF exposure dramatically exceeds safety limits. Electrosurgical units produce electric fields of 15,000 V/m at surgeons' hands, which is 25 times the international reference level of 610 V/m for these frequencies.