Table 3 Selection of potential study population for an occupational RF-EMF cohort and the explanation for not being considered in the ongoing feasibility study

Comment:

In the past apron personnel was highly exposed, because nose radars of airplanes were not switched off. According to experts nowadays the personnel is not exposed.

Conclusion:

Not exposed

Assistant medical technician, Physiotherapist, Physician assistant in hyperthermia/diathermia

Study population:

Few persons, if any

Frequent hyperthermia- and diathermia-therapy in the 60^th and 70^th. Exposure in some cases above threshold. Since then the number of therapies decreased, because it is not reimbursed through the public or private health insurance. Today this therapy does not play a role in Germany.

Conclusion:

Establishing a cohort with retrospective data not possible

Blister packaging

Study population:

One maintenance technician per Company

Comment:

Shielded and automated process and therewith low exposure level.

Conclusion:

Not exposed or only a few number of possibly exposed persons

Captain in inland water transport and working in a sluice

Study population:

3200 captains and 700 lock keepers

Comment:

According to experts the exposure to radio frequencies does not play a role. An exposure to radar is questionable due to technical reasons: radar units are mounted on the roof of the ships.

Conclusion:

Not exposed or low exposure levels

Cashier (EAS, anti- theft-device

Study population:

?

Comments:

Many systems using different electromagnetic fields are in use. Radiofrequency systems are only a part of it. The cohort is limited by short duration of employment and low mean age of the cashiers.

Conclusion:

Establishing of a long term exposed cohort not possible

Chip production

Study population:

?

Comment:

Closed systems (vaporization is a shielded process)

Conclusion:

Not exposed

Deep drawing Machines

Study population:

One person per unit

Comment:

Most often machines work with hot air and shrink films. Only few machines work with radiofrequency. Normally these machines are shielded, automated working process, and are switched off for maintenance work. Work is done by one person.

Conclusion:

Not exposed or only few possibly exposed persons

Dielectric Vulcanizing

Study population:

?

Comment:

No precise information on the exposure was available

Conclusion:

Small number of exposed persons is expected

Fire brigade, emergency medical services, police

Study population:

?

Comment:

Exposure from radio frequency is low because external vehicle antennas are used – exposure to radar (police officers) is low, hand hold devices are rarely used.

Conclusion:

Low exposure levels at time of the study

Gluing press

Study population

One carpenter per specialized company

Comment

There might be some highly exposed workplaces in specialized small companies.

Conclusion:

Small number of exposed persons

High frequency- induction machines

Study population:

About 30 employees per hardening shop

Comment:

Number of exposed employees unknown. Most equipments work in the frequency range from 3 to 10 KHz. To avoid radio interferences, these machines are shielded.

Conclusion:

Small number of exposed persons

High frequency Dryer

Study population:

?

Comment:

Operating personnel will leave the construction site or e.g. the garret.

Conclusion:

Small number of exposed persons

Production of high Frequency generators

Study population:

100 persons

Comment:

Only few high frequency generators are produced in Germany. Number of possibly exposed employees is small.

Conclusion:

Small number of exposed persons

Radiofrequency- Research Institutes

Study population:

150 persons

Comment:

Unknown, how many persons are actually exposed – Exposed personnel possible exposed to different frequencies

Conclusion:

Small number of exposed persons

Telecommunication technicians

(antenna tests)

Study population:

Three or four companies, number of technicians unknown subgroup of "telecommunication technicians (general)".

Comment:

During maintenance of antennas they are switched off. Only employees testing antennas are potentially exposed. But tests of antennas take place in shielded rooms.

Conclusion:

Not exposed

Telecommunication technicians (general)

Study population:

30,000 persons

Comment:

1) Most of maintenance work on mobile phone antennas can be done electronically at the socket of the masts.

2) Possibly exposed during replacement of obstruction lights – but amplitude modulated transmitter stations are switched off in this case – number of concerned technicians unknown.

Conclusion:

Not exposed or only few possibly exposed persons

Roofer, work on scaffolding, chimney sweeper

Study population:

?

Comment:

Exposed when working near to antennas, exposure is high but seldom. Retrospective exposure conditions can not be obtained.

Conclusion:

Not exposed or low exposure level

WIG-welding

Study population:

?

Comment:

Nearly all welding techniques (including so called high frequency welding) work with low frequencies (up to 2000 Hz) – some techniques use radio frequency ignition – in this case workers are exposed momentarily.

Conclusion:

Not exposed or low exposure level