Possible health benefits from reducing occupational magnetic fields.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Magnetic fields (MF) from AC electricity are a Possible Human Carcinogen, based on limited epidemiologic evidence from exposures far below occupational health limits.

Methods

To help formulate government guidance on occupational MF, the cancer cases prevented and the monetary benefits accruing to society by reducing workplace exposures were determined. Life-table methods produced Disability Adjusted Life Years, which were converted to monetary values.

Results

Adjusted for probabilities of causality, the expected increase in a worker's disability-free life are 0.04 year (2 weeks) from a 1 microtesla (µT) MF reduction in average worklife exposure, which is equivalent to $5,100/worker/µT in year 2010 U.S. dollars (95% confidence interval $1,000-$9,000/worker/µ

SUBMITTER: Bowman JD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4687895 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature