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Bioelectromagnetism

7.3.2 IEEE/ICES

IEEE is an association designed to serve professionals involved in all aspects of the electrical, electronic,

and computing felds and related areas of science and technology that underlie modern civilization. In

the IEEE, IEEE Standards Association is organized to develop standards which aim to enable the cre­

ation and expansion of international markets and help protect health and public safety. Under the rules

and oversight of the IEEE SA Standards Board, the ICES, which is responsible for the development of

standards for the safe use of electromagnetic energy in the range of 0 Hz to 300 GHz is operating. ICES

TC95 is responsible for setting IEEE standards related to environmental limits. Currently, IEEE C95.1­

2019 is in active which covers frequencies from 0 Hz to 300 GHz (IEEE, 2019). Te standard developed

by IEEE does not provide a static magnetic (or electric) feld.

7.4 Two-Tier Target Population of Exposure

In the safety guidelines for low-frequency and high-frequency electromagnetic felds, separate limit

values are given for two-tier target population of the population, occupational, and general public

exposures.

Te term general public refers to individuals of all ages and of varying health status, which might

increase the variability of individual susceptibility (ICNIRP, 2010). Terefore, it is considered appropri­

ate that the exposure limits for the general public be more stringent than the exposure limits for workers.

In many cases, members of the public are unaware of their exposure to EMF. Tese considerations

underlie the adoption of more stringent exposure restrictions for the public than for workers while they

are occupationally exposed.

Te ICNIRP guidelines distinguish between occupational exposure and general public exposure,

while the IEEE C95.1-2019 uses the terms “restricted environment” (upper tier) and “unrestricted envi­

ronment” (lower tier) for occupational exposure and general public exposure. Tis classifcation is

equivalent to the controlled and uncontrolled environments previously used in IEEE C95.1-2005.

7.4.1 Occupational Exposure

Workers may be exposed to relatively high exposures in work environment. In such cases, adults are a

healthy population and appropriate precautions are taken. Occupational exposure in these guidelines

refers to adults exposed to electromagnetic felds at their workplaces, generally under known condi­

tions, and as a result of performing their regular or assigned job activities (ICNIRP, 2010). On the other

hand, the general public includes a wide variety of people including young children who are expected to

be exposed and unaware of the risks and no precautions are taken against exposure.

IEEE C95.1-2019 uses restricted environment for occupational exposure and unrestricted environ­

ment for general public (IEEE, 2019). Restricted environment for occupational exposure is an environ­

ment in which exposure can result in exceeding the unrestricted environment (lower tier) dosimetric

reference limit (DRL). Here, (1) implementation of an efective safety program (see IEEE Std C95.7 for

the RF range) is to help ensure that persons are not exposed above the DRL or exposure reference level

(ERL) for the restricted environment, (2) in some documents, exposure in restricted environments is

referred to as “upper tier” or “controlled environment” or “occupational exposure,” and (3) members

of the general public are not permitted in restricted environments unless they become subject to the

applicable safety program, at which time they are no longer considered members of the “general public.”

7.4.2 General Public Exposure

By defnition of IEEE of general public is that all members of the human population who have no knowl­

edge or control of their exposure and are, consequently, not permitted in a restricted environment