Chapter 32, Problem 32.54PP

BIO SAFE EXPOSURE TO ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES.

There have been many studies of the effects on humans of electromagnetic waves of various frequencies. Using these studies, the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) produced guidelines for limiting exposure to electromagnetic fields, with the goal of protecting against known adverse health effects. At frequencies of 1 Hz to 25 Hz, the maximum exposure level of electric-field amplitude E_max for the general public is 14 kV/m. (Different guidelines were created for people who have occupational exposure to radiation.) At frequencies of 25 Hz to 3 kHz, the corresponding E_max is 350/f v/m, where f is the frequency in kHz. (Source: “ICNIRP Statement on the ‘Guidelines for Limiting Exposure to Time-Varying Electric. Magnetic, and Electromagnetic Fields (up to 300 GHz)’,” 2009; Health Physics 97(3): 257–258.)

32.54    In the United States, household electrical power is provided at a frequency of 60 Hz, so electromagnetic radiation at that frequency is of particular interest. On the basis of the ICNIRP guidelines, what is the maximum intensity of an electromagnetic wave at this frequency to which the general public should be exposed? (a) 77 W/m²; (b) 160 w/m²; (c) 45 kW/m²; (d) 260 kW/m².