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EFFECTIVENESS OF PROTECTION AGAINST SW AND USW ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS AT RADIO AND TV STATIONS

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P. P. Fukalova · 1966

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Soviet scientists established EMF safety limits in 1966 after finding radio workers exposed to dangerous levels up to 450 V/m.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Soviet researchers in 1966 measured electromagnetic field exposure at radio and TV stations, finding workers exposed to levels between 5-450 V/m from transmitters and antennas. The study led to establishment of safety standards limiting exposure to 20 V/m for short waves and 5 V/m for ultrashort waves. This represents some of the earliest occupational EMF safety research.

Why This Matters

This 1966 Soviet study represents pioneering work in occupational EMF safety, predating most Western research by decades. The measured exposures of up to 450 V/m were extraordinarily high compared to today's typical environmental levels, which rarely exceed 1-3 V/m in most settings. What's striking is how seriously Soviet scientists took worker protection, establishing specific limits for different frequency ranges based on biological effects they observed. The resulting standards of 20 V/m for short waves and 5 V/m for ultrashort waves were actually more protective than many current guidelines. This early recognition of EMF health risks stands in sharp contrast to the decades of industry resistance that followed in Western countries.

Exposure Information

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.

Cite This Study
P. P. Fukalova (1966). EFFECTIVENESS OF PROTECTION AGAINST SW AND USW ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS AT RADIO AND TV STATIONS.
Show BibTeX
@article{effectiveness_of_protection_against_sw_and_usw_electromagnetic_fields_at_radio_a_g22,
  author = {P. P. Fukalova},
  title = {EFFECTIVENESS OF PROTECTION AGAINST SW AND USW ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS AT RADIO AND TV STATIONS},
  year = {1966},
  
  
}

Quick Questions About This Study

Workers at radio and TV stations were exposed to electromagnetic fields ranging from 5 to 450 V/m, depending on shielding and proximity to transmitters, antennas, and unprotected transmission lines.
In 1964, Soviet health authorities recommended maximum exposure limits of 20 V/m for short wave frequencies and 5 V/m for ultrashort wave frequencies at radio and TV stations.
The main sources were transmitter blocks, modulation units, separation filters, unshielded transmission lines called feeders, and radiating antenna systems throughout radio and TV facilities.
Soviet scientists established protective EMF limits in the 1960s based on observed health effects, decades before most Western countries recognized occupational EMF risks or developed comprehensive safety standards.
Researchers used an INP-LIOT instrument to measure electromagnetic field intensities at radio and TV stations before implementing protective measures to reduce worker exposure levels.