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Safety and Health Topics: |
| Radiation: Non-Ionizing Radiation |
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Non-ionizing radiation is described as a series of energy waves
composed of oscillating electric and magnetic fields traveling at the speed of
light. Non-ionizing radiation includes the spectrum of ultraviolet (UV), visible
light, infrared (IR), microwave (MW), radio frequency (RF), and extremely low frequency
(ELF). Lasers commonly operate in the UV, visible, and IR frequencies. Non-ionizing radiation is found in a wide range of
occupational settings and can pose a considerable health risk to potentially
exposed workers
if not properly controlled. This page provides links to technical and regulatory
information on the control of occupational
hazards from non-ionizing radiation.
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Extremely
Low Frequency Radiation (ELF)
ELF radiation at 60 HZ
is produced by power lines, electrical wiring, and electrical equipment.
Common sources of intense exposure include ELF induction furnaces and high-voltage power lines. |
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Radio
Frequency (RF)/Microwave
Radiation (MW)
Microwave radiation is
absorbed near the skin, while RF radiation may be absorbed throughout
the body. At high enough intensities both will damage tissue through heating.
Sources of RF and MW radiation include radio emitters and cell phones. |
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Infrared Radiation
(IR)
The skin and eyes absorb
infrared radiation as heat. Workers normally notice excessive
exposure through heat
sensation and pain. Sources of IR radiation include furnaces, heat
lamps, and IR lasers. |
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Visible
Light Radiation
The different visible frequencies of the electromagnetic (EM) spectrum
are "seen" by our eyes as different colors. Good lighting is
conducive to increased production, and can help prevent
incidents related to poor
lighting conditions. Excessive visible radiation can damage the eyes and
skin. |
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Ultraviolet
Radiation
(UV)
Ultraviolet radiation
has a high photon energy range and is particularly hazardous because there are
usually no immediate symptoms of excessive exposure. Sources of UV radiation include the sun, black
lights, welding arcs, and UV lasers. |
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Laser
Hazards
Lasers typically emit
optical (UV, visible, IR) radiations and are primarily an eye and skin hazard. Common
lasers include CO2 IR
laser; helium - neon, neodymium YAG, and ruby visible lasers, and the
Nitrogen UV laser. |
Additional Assistance
-
Non-Ionizing Radiation Presentations. This page has the latest OSHA
presentations on safety and health topics including:
General
- Non-Ionizing Radiation: Standards and Regulations.
Bob Curtis, OSHA Salt Lake Technical Center (2002), 9.6 MB
PPT, 141 slides.
Radio Frequency (RF) and Microwave (MW) Radiation
- Introduction to Radio Frequency Radiation.
Bob Curtis, OSHA Salt Lake Technical Center (2003), 4.24 MB
PPT, 147 slides.
- OSHA Regulation for RF Radiation Exposures.
Bob Curtis, OSHA Salt Lake Technical Center (1995), 92 KB
PPT, 16 slides.
- OSHA Requirements for Tower Construction Related
to RF Radiation. Bob Curtis, OSHA Salt Lake Technical Center
(1999), 1.06 MB
PPT, 42 slides.
- Suggested Update to RF Standards Related to
Wireless Communications. Bob Curtis, OSHA Salt Lake Technical
Center (2001), 4.25 MB
PPT, 90 slides.
- Update of RF Radiation Protection Standards.
Bob Curtis, OSHA Salt Lake Technical Center (1999), 420 KB
PPT, 29 slides.
Laser Radiation
- Introduction to Laser Safety. Bob Curtis,
OSHA Salt Lake Technical Center, Directorate of Science, Technology and
Medicine (2001), 8.1 MB
PPT, 48 slides.
- Nonionizing
Radiation. New Jersey Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (2003), 2 pages.
This page provides links to information on different sources
of non-ionizing radiation such as heat sealers,
microwave towers, radio and TV broadcast antennas, and so forth.
- Nonionizing Radiation, Fundamentals of Industrial Hygiene Chapter 11. National Safety
Council, (1988), 30 pages. This is an overview of non-ionizing radiation in a popular text.
- For additional assistance on specific types or sources of laser
radiation, please see the following Safety and Health Topic Pages:
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