Research

Interdisciplinary research under the traditions of two sciences

I do interdisciplinary research, applying the research traditions of both medical and technical sciences. My main expertise lies at exposure to electromagnetic fields, assessment of health effects caused by the exposure, and reducing this exposure.

Professor Leena Korpinen

Examples of Research Activities

Seminar of ICOH, Scientific Committee on Radiation & Work, 7th April 2014 in Paris: The occupational health professionals and the exposures to electromagnetic fields (EMF): what about Directive 2013/35/EU

Prof. Fabriziomaria Gobba is the Chair of the Scientific Committee on Radiation and Work of the International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH), and I am the secretary of the committee. The ICOH selected them to their tasks, based on their scientific experiences in the area.

The Scientific Committee «Radiation and Work» of ICOH organized the seminar in association with the French Society of Occupational Medicine (SFMT) and the French Society of Environmental Health (SFSE). The main objectives were to introduce the new European directive on occupational exposure to electric, magnetic, and electromagnetic fields and its practical implications for occupational physicians, safety engineers, and to all those involved in the health surveillance of risks at work.

The target group was occupational physicians, health and safety authorities, hygienists, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and experts from the industrial sector and other business-life and interested parties.

The studies of the function of PMs and ICDs using a human-shaped phantom in electric or magnetic fields under 400 kV power lines and at a 400 kV substation

I started the activities with AIMDs (PMs and ICDs) with Tampere University and Fingrid in 2009. The first experiments of PMs were conducted in 2010 on the project PMs and ICDs in electric and magnetic fields of 400-kV power lines. The researchers constructed the human-shaped phantom from a commercially available plastic mannequin. I and Fingrid planned the experiments.

The second project concentrated on high magnetic fields. It was possible to find high magnetic fields near a shunt reactor at a 400 kV substation. Fingrid switched the reactors on and off; thus, it was possible to create high magnetic fields and organize exposure periods. The following figures show the phantom at a substation. Photos are from following article: Korpinen L etc. Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators in Magnetic Fields of a 400 kV Substation, Progress In Electromagnetics Research M, Vol. 40, 2014.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The studies were also highlighted in the media, e.g., at YLE

References:  

 

Possible influences of spark discharges on PMs and ICDs

CIGRE has a working group CIGRE WG C4.25 on Issues Related to ELF Electromagnetic Field Exposure and Transient Contact Currents. In part of this work, I have studied if spark discharges can disturb PMs or ICDs.

Presentation slide at COST EMF-MED meeting, Brussels 16. April 2014.

Spark discharges can occur beneath power lines where the electric field is sufficiently strong to induce them. When the human body approaches a long metal fence, a motor vehicle, or another large metal object that is charged, due to the presence of an electric field beneath the power line that is insulated from the ground, a spark discharge may occur before contact is initiated.

The tests were performed in a high-voltage laboratory, where spark discharges could be produced experimentally. The effects of spark discharges on PMs were investigated using a human-sized, human-shaped phantom, specially designed for the purpose, which was filled with saline and fitted with a PM.  Normally, PM users are not exposed to spark discharges in a way that would make any effects likely. However, to minimize any possibility of interference from electric fields or spark discharges, PM users are advised to avoid the mid-span area, where the power line is closest to the ground. The results of PM experiments were published in international collaboration.

Reference: 

 

Evaluation the workers’ exposure to electric fields and induced currents associated with substations tasks with measurements

I and Fingrid have studied worker exposure many years. The measurements and data analysis of the Helmet-Mask Measuring System continued from 2011–2015. The following photo depicts the general measurement arrangement and connection of the multimeters when the worker stands on the ground. The worker wore isolating shoes, and the helmet–mask system was earthed only through a single point to a separate earthing electrode embedded into the soil.

The measurements started at 400 kV substations and 400, 220, and 110 kV power lines. Subsequently, the measurements were performed at 110 kV substations. The following photo is from article: Korpinen, L., Kuisti, H. and Elovaara, J.,  2016. Current densities and total contact currents during forest clearing tasks under 400 kV power lines Bioelectromagnetics, 37(6), pp. 423–428.

References: 

 

Evaluation the workers’ exposure to electric fields and induced currents associated with substations tasks
– Analyses with calculation

The visiting researcher from Japan worked with me in Finland for one year from 2011  funded by the Ministry of Education, Cultures, Sports, Science, and Technology in Japan, and stayed for a short time in 2013, 2014, and 2015, for collaborative research with me. His results were similar to that obtained earlier.

References:

  • Tarao, H., Miyamoto, H., Korpinen, L., Hayashi, N. and Isaka, K., (accepted for publication). Simple estimation of induced electric fields in nervous system tissues for human exposure to non-uniform electric fields at power frequency. Physics in Medicine and Biology.
  • Tarao, H., Aga, K., Okun, O. and Korpinen, L., 2015. Numerical estimation of muscle conductivity in terms of human body internal resistance. The 36th PIERS in Prague, Session 1P0-8.
  • Tarao, H., Miyamoto, H., Hayashi, N. and Korpinen, L., 2015. Estimation of induced currents in the human body exposed to non-uniform ELF electric fields. Proceedings of 19th International Symposium on High Voltage Engineering, 166.
  • Tarao, H., Hayashi, N., Korpinen, L., Matsumoto, T. and Isaka, K., 2013. Numerical estimations of induced and contact currents in human body in contact with a car in 60 Hz electric fields.” Proceedings of 18th International High Voltage Engineering, PA-27, pp.93-195.
  • Tarao, H., ,Hayashi. N., Matsumoto, T. and Isaka, K., 2013. Currents and electric fields induced in anatomically realistic human models by extremely low frequency electric fields. Journal of Energy and Power Engineering,7(10), pp.1985-1991.
  • Tarao, H., Korpinen, L., Kuisti, H., Hayashi, N., Elovaara, J. and Isaka, K., 2013. Numerical evaluation of currents induced in a worker by elf non-uniform electric fields in high voltage substations and comparison with experimental results. Bioelectromagnetics, 34(1), pp.61-73.
  • Tarao, H., Kuisti, H., Korpinen, L., Hayashi, N. and Isaka, K., 2012. Effects of tissue conductivity and electrode area on internal electric fields in a numerical human model for ELF contact current exposures. Physics in Medicine and Biology, 57(10), pp.2981-2996.
  • Tarao, H., Hayashi, N., Korpinen, L., Matsumoto, T. and Isaka, K., 2011. Calculation of induced electric fields in human models exposed to ELF magnetic and electric fields. Proceedings of 17th International High Voltage Engineering, No.A-005.

 

A questionnaire on the health effects of new technical equipment

The use of technical devices, for example, computers, portable computers, notebooks, cell phones, and more recently, also tablets, e-readers, and smartphones, has increased. It is important to recognize the possible health effects that can be linked to new technologies. Therefore, I conducted a study in 2002 on possible influences of new technical equipment on the health of the working-age population via a questionnaire divided into six sections and sent to about 15,000 Finns.

From 2011–2015, I continued the analyses of the questionnaire data, for example, using respondents, who self-reported very often aches, pain, or numbness in the hip and lower back, and the neck. I also analyzed accidents and close-call situations connected to the use of mobile phones using different logistic regression models.

References:

  • Korpinen, L. and Pääkkönen, R., 2015. Self-reported depression and anxiety symptoms and usage of computers and mobile phones among working-age Finns. International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics, 21(2), pp.221-228.
  • Korpinen, L., Pääkkönen, R. and Gobba, F., 2015. Accidents and close call situations connected to the use of mobile phones in working-age people ≥ 50 years old. International Journal of Social, Behavioral, Educational, Economic and Management Engineering, 9(5), pp.1353-1356.
  • Korpinen, L., Pääkkönen, R. and Gobba, F., 2015. Ergonomics aspects of work with computers. International Journal of Social, Behavioral, Educational, Economic and Management Engineering, 9(9), pp.2290-2294.
  • Korpinen, L., Pääkkönen, R. and Gobba, F., 2015. Self-reported ache, pain, or numbness in hip and lower back and use of computers and cell phones amongst Finns aged 18-65. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 48, pp.70-76.
  • Korpinen, L., Pääkkönen, R. and Gobba, F., 2014. The use and know-how of ICT-technology in different age groups. Proceedings of 2nd International Congress on Neurotechnology, Electronics and Informatics, NEUROTECHNIX, Rome, Italy, 25-26 October. (pp.56-60). SCITEPRESS. 10.5220/0005142200560060
  • Korpinen, L., Pääkkönen, R. and Gobba, F., 2014. The use of computers in different age groups and their self-reported neck symptoms. Proceedings of the International Conference on Health Informatics, HEALTHINF 2014, 3-6 March 2014, Eseo, France, 112, SCITEPRESS, 496-499, International Conference on Health Informatics. 10.5220/0004913104960499
  • Korpinen, L., Pääkkönen, R. and Gobba, F., 2013. Self-reported neck symptoms and use of personal computers, laptops and cell phones among Finns aged 18–65. Ergonomics 56(7), pp.1134-1146.
  • Korpinen, L., Pääkkönen, R., 2012. Accidents and close call situations connected to the use of mobile phones. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 45, pp.75-82.
  • Korpinen, L., Pääkkönen, R. and Gobba, F., 2012. White-collar workers’ self-reported physical symptoms associated with using computers. International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics, 18(2), pp.137-147.
  • Korpinen, L., Pääkkönen, R., 2011. Physical symptoms in young adults and their use of different computers and mobile phones. International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics, 17(4), pp.361-371.

 

Examples of electromagnetic field emissions from smart meters in Finland 

The RC analyzed Finnish emissions of electromagnetic fields of smart meters as an example of modern smart measurement systems. These kind of intelligent systems for control and measurement are constructed also on many other areas of application.

References:

  • Pääkkönen, R., Lundström, M., Mustaparta, J. and Korpinen, L., 2015. Examples of electromagnetic field (50–100 kHz) emissions from smart meters in Finland. Radioprotection.10.1051/radiopro/2015004.
  • Pääkkönen R. and Korpinen L., 2015. Emission of smart meter electromagnetic field (50-100 kHz) in Finland. International Scholarly and Scientific Research & Innovation 9(2015);5, 339-342. 23rd International Conference on Electricity Distribution (CIRED). Lyon June 15-18, Paper 1484, pp.1-4.

 

Possibilities to decrease exposure of electric and magnetic fields

It is possible to decrease electric field exposure using protective clothes, which was developed in Japan. Figure shows the protective coveralls from Japan, which include a hat, a jacket, trousers, gloves, and socks and are electrically connected to each other and grounded at the soles.

Professor Leena Korpinen
The test person with protective coveralls from Japan at 400 kV substation

References:

  • Korpinen, L., Tarao, H., Pääkkönen, R. and Gobba, F., 2015. Possibility of decreasing 50 Hz electric field exposure with different coveralls under 400 kV power lines. In ISH2015—The 19th International Symposium on High Voltage Engineering, Pilsen, Czech Republic, August, 23-28, 161, Pilsen, Czech Republic.
  • Okun, O., Ivanov, Y. and Korpinen, L., 2015. Determination of asymmetry of currents and voltages in high voltage power transmission with a long transmission line. ISH2015—The 19th International Symposium on High Voltage Engineering, Pilsen, Czech Republic, August, 23-28, 229, Pilsen, Czech Republic.
  • Okun, O. and Korpinen, L., 2014. A simplified method for calculation of high voltage power substation electric fields. EHE2014, 5th International Conference on Electromagnetic Fields, Health and Environment, Porto, Portugal, 24th-26th.
  • Okun, O. and Korpinen, L., 2014. Comparison of methods to define power line and substation’s busbar wire capacitances in electric field calculation task. 8th International Workshop on Biological Effects of Electromagnetic Fields, 21-26 September, Golden Sands, Varna, Bulgaria 79-85.
  • Okun, O., Shevchenko, S. and Korpinen, L., 2013. A comparison of magnetic fields inside and outside high-voltage urban 110-kV power substations with the exposure recommendations of the Ukrainian regulatory authorities. Radiation Protection Dosimetry, 154(4), pp.417-429. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/rpd/ncs268
  • Okun, O., Shevchenko, S. and Korpinen, L., 2013. A comparison of measures to reduce the intensity of magnetic field outside high voltage power substations. 18th International Symposium on High Voltage Engineering, ISH 2013, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea, August 25-30, pp.108-112.
  • Okun, O., Shevchenko, S. and Korpinen, L., 2013. Comparison of design measures to reduce 50-Hz magnetic fields of high voltage power objects. 2013 CIGRE: 3rd International Colloquium on Low Frequency Electromagnetic Fields (EMF-ELF 2013), Proceedings, October 15 to 16, 2013, Nara, Japan. International Colloquium on Low Frequency Electromagnetic Fields, pp.181-187.
  • Okun, O., Shevchenko, S. and Korpinen, L., 2013. Possible methods for limiting magnetic fields outside a high voltage power substation by changing the phase sequence of busbar wires. Proceedings of PIERS 2013, Stockholm, Sweden, August 12-15, pp.1109-1112.
  • Rostovskiy, I., Okun, O., Shevchenko, S. and Korpinen, L., 2013. A theoretical investigation of the influence of underground power cable parameters on magnetic field levels. PIERS Proceedings, August 12-15, Stockholm, Sweden, pp.1105-1108.