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Enertech and the EMF RAPID Projects |
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Enertech Consultants
performed three very important projects for the United States Department of Energy (DOE)
under the Electric and Magnetic Field (EMF) Research and Public Information Dissemination
(EMF RAPID) program. Project #3, entitled "Environmental
Field Surveys", dealt with magnetic field source characterization of commercial and
public buildings not previously studied. Project #6, entitled
"Survey of Personal Magnetic Field Exposure", involved the design of a
nationwide EMF exposure survey. Project #6, Phase II involved the
implementation of the nationwide EMF exposure survey of 1,000 individuals.
Project #3: Environmental Field SurveysThe goal of this study was to identify and characterize magnetic field sources in commercial and public areas which have not been previously studied in detail. For this project, Enertech surveyed several different environment types: schools, hospitals, machine/metal fabrication/welding shops, office buildings, supermarkets, and light commercial industries. This DOE project, was at the forefront of scientific research in characterizing common public environments which previously have not been measured in a consistent manner. The measurements for Project #3 included:
The survey was completed and the final report delivered to DOE in 1996.
Project #6: Survey of Personal Magnetic Field ExposureThe goal of this study was to design a national EMF exposure survey. This effort included an evaluation of data collection methods, sampling procedures, instrumentation, and exposure parameters to develop an optimum survey design. As part of this project, the final survey method was tested within a pilot study setting. This DOE project was awarded in early 1996 and was completed in 1997 on time. A 200-Person Nationwide Random Sample was added as a component to the project. This component was added to provide a preliminary measure of the variability of the EMF exposure of the US population and incorporated measurement protocols employed in the main nationwide survey (see the 1000-Person Nationwide Survey of Magnetic Field Exposure below). This sample was completed in 1997.
Enertech Consultants and Westat, Inc. were awarded the project to implement the survey protocol developed in RAPID Project #6 in 1997. This survey consisted of a random sample of 1000 individuals in the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii. Each participant was measured for 24-hours using a small personal exposure meter while maintaining an activity diary. A short questionnaire was administered to collect occupational and electrical environment data. The survey was completed in six months and the final report delivered to DOE in April 1998. |