Nine new articles published

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The first article, Self-Reported Ache, Pain, or Numbness in Feet and Use of Computers amongst Working-Age Finns by Leena Korpinen, Rauno Pääkkönen and Fabriziomaria Gobba, is published in Healthcare 2016, 4(4), 82; doi:10.3390/healthcare4040082, (The Special Issue Occupational Health Issues in the New Millennium)

The second article, The Possibility of Decreasing 50-Hz Electric Field Exposure near 400-kV Power Lines with Arc Flash Personal Protective Equipment by Leena Korpinen, Timo Heiskanen, Herkko Pirkkalainen, Rauno Pääkkönen is published in International journal of environmental research and public health 13(10), October 2016 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph13100942

The third article, Simple estimation of induced electric fields in nervous system tissues for human exposure to non-uniform electric fields at power frequency, by Hiroo Tarao, Hironobu Miyamoto, Leena Korpinen, Noriyuki Hayashi, Katsuo Isaka is published in Physics in Medicine and Biology (Special Issue), Jun 2016

The fourth article, Current densities and total contact currents during forest clearing tasks under 400 kV power lines: Current Densities During Forest Clearing Tasks by Leena Korpinen, Harri Kuisti, Jarmo Elovaara, is published in Bioelectromagnetics, May 2016

The fifth article, Influence of environmental conditions on EMF levels in a span of overhead transmission lines, by Oleksandr Okun, Yurii Kravchenko and Leena Korpinen is published in Progress In Electromagnetics Research C, vol 63, 163-171, 2016

The sixth article: The biomechanical overload of the upper limb: a neglected occupational hazard in animal facility operators by Vincenzo Occhionero Vincenzo Occhionero Rinaldo Ghersi Rinaldo Ghersi , Leena Korpinen, Fabriziomaria Gobba, is published in Ergonomics, Apr 2016

The seventh article, Occupational exposure to electric and magnetic fields during tasks at ground or floor level at 110 kV substations in Finland by Leena Korpinen and Rauno Pääkkönen is published in International journal of occupational safety and ergonomics, Apr 2016

The eighth article, Decreasing the extremely low-frequency electric field exposure with a Faraday cage during work tasks from a man hoist at a 400 kV substation By Herkko Pirkkalainen, Jarmo Elovaara and Leena Korpinen, is published in Progress In Electromagnetics Research M, vol 48, 55-66.

The ninth article, Exposure to biological and chemical agents at biomass power plants by Sirpa Laitinen, Juha Laitinen, Leena Fagernäs, Kirsi Korpijärvi, Leena Korpinen, Kari Ojanen, Marjaleena Aatamila, Mika Jumpponen, Hanna Koponen, Jorma Jokiniemi is published in Biomass and Bioenergy October 2016, vol 93, 78-86, DOI: 10.1016/j.biombioe.2016.06.025

Summary of the situation report bulletin (1/2016) published online

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The Finnish Government Decree (388/2016) relating to the Directive 2013/35/EU on the “minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from physical agents (electromagnetic fields)” came into force on 1 July 2016. Moreover, a practical guide has been issued, with advice on how to control hazards caused by electromagnetic fields in workplaces.

I have once again found some interesting publications for this bulletin. As many times before, the first papers are about field exposure and childhood leukemia, this time including one on the European Commission-funded ARIMMORA project, which I expect to produce further interesting publications later on.

Another paper reports on a study that investigated the perceived quality of life, among other things, in people with idiopathic environmental intolerance attributed to electromagnetic fields. Hopefully, research will find means to help those suffering from these symptoms.

Finally, I would like to mention that this is the first situation report bulletin produced outside Tampere University of Technology. I found interesting new challenges outside TUT, but the situation report bulletin will continue despite the change.

Hope you enjoy reading this summary in English!

Two new articles published and a forthcoming article

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The first article, Blue-Collar Workers’ Accidents and Close Call Situations Connected to the Use of Cell Phones among Finns Aged 18–65 by Leena Korpinen, Rauno Pääkkönen and Fabriziomaria Gobba is published in International Journal of Social, Behavioral, Educational, Economic, Business and Industrial Engineering Vol:10, No:3, 2016, 751- 754

The second article, Comparison of Injuries and Accidents Globally and in Finland by Rauno Pääkkönen and Leena Korpinen is published in International Journal of Social, Behavioral, Educational, Economic, Business and Industrial Engineering Vol:10, No:3, 2016, 786- 789

The forthcoming article, Simple estimation of induced electric fields in nervous system tissues for human exposure to non-uniform electric fields at power frequency by Hiroo Tarao, Hironobu Miyamoto, Leena Korpinen, Noriyuki Hayashi, Katsuo Isaka will be published in Physics in Medicine and Biology (Special Issue)

Summary of Situation Report Bulletin on Animals Exposed to Power Lines published online

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This situation report on power lines and animals was initiated in a Board discussion in which a regular situation report bulletin was reviewed prior to its publication. The question of potential effects of power lines on animals keeps coming up from time to time, and we found that, at least in Finnish, not much has been published on this topic. This gave us the idea to compile a special situation report dedicated to studies on animals.

The studies summarized in this bulletin focus exclusively on animals exposed to power lines, with all other animal-related studies left out of consideration. Emphasis was put on recent studies, and a variety of database searches were carried out to achieve extensive coverage. More time was spent on this than usual, as the search spanned a time period of a considerable number of years.

The first paper in this bulletin discusses bee hives in the vicinity of power lines. It reviews a number of previous studies and draws conclusions based on the findings. The Finnish guidelines recommend that bee hives should be located at the edge of a right-of-way. Also, hives reinforced with metal should, where necessary, be provided with electric-field shielding in the form of wire mesh connected to the ground. The article on bees is followed by several on dairy cows, investigating, for example, milk production in pregnant and non-pregnant cows, and hormone levels.

I hope you enjoy reading this summary in English!

Summary of Situation Report Bulletin on Animals Exposed to Power Lines published online

|

This situation report on power lines and animals was initiated in a Board discussion in which a regular situation report bulletin was reviewed prior to its publication. The question of potential effects of power lines on animals keeps coming up from time to time, and we found that, at least in Finnish, not much has been published on this topic. This gave us the idea to compile a special situation report dedicated to studies on animals.

The studies summarized in this bulletin focus exclusively on animals exposed to power lines, with all other animal-related studies left out of consideration. Emphasis was put on recent studies, and a variety of database searches were carried out to achieve extensive coverage. More time was spent on this than usual, as the search spanned a time period of a considerable number of years.

The first paper in this bulletin discusses bee hives in the vicinity of power lines. It reviews a number of previous studies and draws conclusions based on the findings. The Finnish guidelines recommend that bee hives should be located at the edge of a right-of-way. Also, hives reinforced with metal should, where necessary, be provided with electric-field shielding in the form of wire mesh connected to the ground. The article on bees is followed by several on dairy cows, investigating, for example, milk production in pregnant and non-pregnant cows, and hormone levels.

I hope you enjoy reading this summary in English!