Abstract
Aims: Newborns lie close to the electric engines of the incubator, and they are exposed to high electromagnetic fields. We measured whether magneto-absorbing panels reduce at a sufficient extent the high level of electromagnetic field (EMF) to which newborns are exposed in incubators.
Methods: We found very high electromagnetic field values: up to 88.4 mG in common incubators and up to 357.0 mG in the transport incubator. Values highly diminished by increasing the distance from the motor. We measured EMF at mattress level in three neonatal incubators with and without magneto-absorbing panels put between the electric engine and the mattress. These panels were: a) 5 mm sweet iron; b), c), d): respectively one, two and three sheets of 0.3 mm mu-metal.
Results: The use of the above panels reduced significantly the EMF. No significant attenuation difference was recorded using one, two or three folds of mu-metal, or a single fold of sweet iron. One, two or three sheets of mu-metal reduced EMFs respectively of 77%, 82% and 84.3%; the reduction with sweet iron was 80%.
Conclusion: EMF values measured in incubators were much higher than those to which the general population is exposed. The use of magneto- absorbing panels reduces significantly the level of EMFs to which neonates are exposed.
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Bellieni, C., Bagnoli, F., Sisto, R. et al. 25 Metallic Shields Decrease Neonatal Exposure To Electromagnetic Fields In Incubators. Pediatr Res 56, 468 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-200409000-00048
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-200409000-00048