ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD DENSITY: EVALUATIONS ON SOME SPECIAL INSTRUMENTS USED IN BIOLOGY LABORATORIES

Abstract

As an electric field-magnetic field composition, only indirect inferences can be made about the effects of electromagnetic fields (EMA), which have been widely discussed in the axis of base stations-mobile phones. However there is no report and specific reports about biology laboratories where biologists workings with special instruments. The aim of the presented study is to contribute to the elimination of this deficiency to some extent. For this purpose, a total of thirty electrical and electronic devices used in different microbiological analysis and genetic research laboratories of Ege University Faculty of Science Biology Department, (one microbiology and two microbiological analyzes laboratory) were measured at different distances (1cm, 5cm and 50cm as working distance). According to the data, the density of EMA naturally decreases with increasing distance. It is interesting to note that unexpectedly high values are recorded for some instruments and also different values for instruments of different brands and models used for the same purpose. The general result is that the EMA concentrations generated by the devices under measurement are below the safety limits accepted in our country. However, if this perspective is broadened, it is reached the fact that biologists are exposed to more EMA for longer periods than people living and working in standard homes and offices. This is because there are electromagnetic interferences that cannot be measured in this research, which consist of many devices working simultaneously due to physical space shortages and environmental EMA sources. Moreover, some laboratory studies take too long. The mismatch of the parameters used in the EMA measurement in general, and the lack of a consensus on the health effects of EMA in particular, does not necessarily mean that there are no specific risks. Measures that can be taken in the extension of the cautious approach principle are also recorded in this framework..