Occupational Aspects of Non-Ionizing Radiant Energy Exposure—Thresholds and Standards
Sol M. Michaelson · 1970
Federal recognition of EMF as occupational hazard began in 1970, yet comprehensive worker protection standards remain inadequate today.
Plain English Summary
This 1970 review examined the emergence of workplace EMF exposure standards following new federal safety legislation. The study highlighted the growing need for occupational protection from radiofrequency, microwave, and other non-ionizing radiation sources in military, industrial, and medical settings. It called for establishing safe exposure limits for workers across various time periods.
Why This Matters
This foundational 1970 paper captures a pivotal moment when federal regulators first recognized EMF as an occupational health concern requiring formal standards. What's striking is how prescient these early concerns were - the authors identified the rapid proliferation of EMF-emitting devices across industries and the urgent need for worker protection standards. The reality is that more than 50 years later, we're still grappling with many of the same issues they raised. While OSHA eventually established some EMF exposure limits for workers, these standards haven't kept pace with the exponential growth in EMF sources or emerging research on health effects. The science demonstrates that workplace EMF exposures can be orders of magnitude higher than what most people encounter at home, yet comprehensive protections remain limited.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.
Show BibTeX
@article{occupational_aspects_of_non_ionizing_radiant_energy_exposure_thresholds_and_stan_g3841,
author = {Sol M. Michaelson},
title = {Occupational Aspects of Non-Ionizing Radiant Energy Exposure—Thresholds and Standards},
year = {1970},
}