Assessment and Management of Risks from Occupational Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields (0 Hz to 300 GHz): A Compass to Keep the Right Course Through European and Italian Regulations

This paper outlines the specific provisions of Italian legislation regarding workers’ exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) from 0 Hz to 300 GHz compared to the minimum health and safety requirements set in European Directive 2013/35/EU. In particular, the path to be followed to assess and manag...

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Main Authors: Laura Filosa, Vanni Lopresto
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Safety
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2313-576X/10/4/104
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author Laura Filosa
Vanni Lopresto
author_facet Laura Filosa
Vanni Lopresto
author_sort Laura Filosa
collection DOAJ
description This paper outlines the specific provisions of Italian legislation regarding workers’ exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) from 0 Hz to 300 GHz compared to the minimum health and safety requirements set in European Directive 2013/35/EU. In particular, the path to be followed to assess and manage occupational exposure to EMFs is outlined in relation to the distinction between ‘professional’ and ‘non-professional’ exposure of workers, as well as to the precautionary limits regarding exposures from power lines (50 Hz) and broadcast and telecommunication fixed systems (100 kHz–300 GHz) established by Italian regulations. The reasons underlying such an approach—mainly relying on the intent to reconcile scientific evidence with risk perception in public opinion—are analysed and discussed with the aim of increasing the knowledge of national regulatory provisions on occupational risk assessment, which may be more stringent than the requirements envisaged by international guidelines and community regulations.
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spelling doaj-art-003dedbe3e1446a9a9c87b30744c845b2025-08-20T02:43:54ZengMDPI AGSafety2313-576X2024-12-0110410410.3390/safety10040104Assessment and Management of Risks from Occupational Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields (0 Hz to 300 GHz): A Compass to Keep the Right Course Through European and Italian RegulationsLaura Filosa0Vanni Lopresto1INAIL, Italian National Institute for Insurance against Accidents at Work, 30161 Rome, ItalyENEA, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, 30161 Rome, ItalyThis paper outlines the specific provisions of Italian legislation regarding workers’ exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) from 0 Hz to 300 GHz compared to the minimum health and safety requirements set in European Directive 2013/35/EU. In particular, the path to be followed to assess and manage occupational exposure to EMFs is outlined in relation to the distinction between ‘professional’ and ‘non-professional’ exposure of workers, as well as to the precautionary limits regarding exposures from power lines (50 Hz) and broadcast and telecommunication fixed systems (100 kHz–300 GHz) established by Italian regulations. The reasons underlying such an approach—mainly relying on the intent to reconcile scientific evidence with risk perception in public opinion—are analysed and discussed with the aim of increasing the knowledge of national regulatory provisions on occupational risk assessment, which may be more stringent than the requirements envisaged by international guidelines and community regulations.https://www.mdpi.com/2313-576X/10/4/104electromagnetic fieldsexposure assessment processhealth and safety risksoccupational exposureItalian regulations
spellingShingle Laura Filosa
Vanni Lopresto
Assessment and Management of Risks from Occupational Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields (0 Hz to 300 GHz): A Compass to Keep the Right Course Through European and Italian Regulations
Safety
electromagnetic fields
exposure assessment process
health and safety risks
occupational exposure
Italian regulations
title Assessment and Management of Risks from Occupational Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields (0 Hz to 300 GHz): A Compass to Keep the Right Course Through European and Italian Regulations
title_full Assessment and Management of Risks from Occupational Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields (0 Hz to 300 GHz): A Compass to Keep the Right Course Through European and Italian Regulations
title_fullStr Assessment and Management of Risks from Occupational Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields (0 Hz to 300 GHz): A Compass to Keep the Right Course Through European and Italian Regulations
title_full_unstemmed Assessment and Management of Risks from Occupational Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields (0 Hz to 300 GHz): A Compass to Keep the Right Course Through European and Italian Regulations
title_short Assessment and Management of Risks from Occupational Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields (0 Hz to 300 GHz): A Compass to Keep the Right Course Through European and Italian Regulations
title_sort assessment and management of risks from occupational exposure to electromagnetic fields 0 hz to 300 ghz a compass to keep the right course through european and italian regulations
topic electromagnetic fields
exposure assessment process
health and safety risks
occupational exposure
Italian regulations
url https://www.mdpi.com/2313-576X/10/4/104
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AT vannilopresto assessmentandmanagementofrisksfromoccupationalexposuretoelectromagneticfields0hzto300ghzacompasstokeeptherightcoursethrougheuropeananditalianregulations