Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) is a physical agent, but is not homogeneous. The physics, health effects and assessment methods differ over different regions of the EMR spectrum in the occupational environment. Examples of the sources of occupational exposure include radar systems, radio and TV broadcast systems, radiofrequency diathermy, dielectric heaters and sealers and communication equipment. It is up to the occupational health professional to determine how to control exposure in the day-to-day setting. This webinar will provide the attendee with a practical understanding of non-ionizing radiation, health effects, current guidelines for exposure, and ways to control and/or prevent exposure in the occupational setting with emphasis on the sub-radiofrequency, radiofrequency and microwave regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. This webinar also provides basic information to assist in the development of workplace prevention programs. The content will be suited for attendees with some knowledge of potential health concerns due to occupational exposure to electromagnetic radiation.
After participating in this webinar, attendees will be able to:
- Understand the major classes of non-ionizing radiation
- Understand the health risks of occupational exposure to non-ionizing radiation in the radiofrequency range of 3 kHz–300 GHz
- Understand the units of measure and instruments used in expressing non-ionizing radiation levels
- Conduct a risk assessment for potential exposures
- Interpret exposure guidelines
- Develop a program to control and prevent exposures to non-ionizing radiation
ACGIH® is pleased to offer webinar attendees an audio option. U.S. and Canadian attendees can connect to the audio portion of the webinar via the toll-free audio telephone link or listen to the audio portion through an audio stream directly through their computer. Other international participants can listen via the audio stream without incurring additional telephone charges.
Kenneth R. Foster, PhD, David H. Sliney, PhD, Andrew Thatcher, MS and Ronald C. Petersen, MS will present this webinar.
Kenneth R. Foster, PhD received his PhD in physics in 1971 and is also a Registered Professional Engineer in Pennsylvania. His technical work involves studies on the interaction of non-ionizing radiation and biological systems, ranging from biophysical principles of interaction to dosimetry and exposure assessment. In addition to his academic work, he consults widely on radiofrequency safety issues, including exposure assessment. In addition to more than 100 articles published in peer reviewed journals, he is coauthor and coeditor of two books on risk assessment and the law. He is a fellow of IEEE and a current member candidate of the ACGIH® Threshold Limit Values for Physical Agents (TLV®-PA) Committee.
David H. Sliney, PhD received his Bachelor’s degree in physics from Virginia Polytechnic Institute, his Master’s degree in physics and radiological health from Emory University, and his PhD in biophysics and medical physics from the University of London, Institute of Ophthalmology. He was the Manager of the Laser/Optical Radiation Program at the U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventative Medicine for many years until retiring in 2007. He served as a member, advisor and chairman of numerous committees and institutions, which are active in the establishment of safety standards for protection against non-ionizing radiation (ANSI, ISO, ACGIH®, IEC, WHO, NCRP, and ICNIRP). He was a charter member of the ACGIH® Threshold Limit Values for Physical Agents (TLV®-PA) Committee and a past Chair. He was a Fulbright Scholar to Yugoslavia in 1977 and received the Schawlow Award from the LIA in 2005, and the Award for Distinguished Scientific Achievements from the Health Physics Society in 2009. He served as President of the Laser Institute of America in 1992 and as President of the American Society for Photobiology during 2008-2009.
Andrew Thatcher, MS is a former nuclear engineer, board certified health physicist and public health professional with over 25 years of experience in the evaluation of both ionizing and non-ionizing radiation exposures. Mr. Thatcher holds a Master’s degree in health physics and is a clinical associate professor at Vanderbilt University. Mr. Thatcher works for both the government, as well as commercial interests.
Ronald C. Petersen, MS received the BSEE MSEP (Electrophysics) degree from the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn. He joined the Bell Labs Solid State Device Development Laboratory in 1960 and the Environmental Health and Safety Center in 1970 where he managed the Bell Labs Wireless and Optical Technologies Safety Department until his retirement in 2001. He chaired the IEEE Standards Coordinating Committee 34 (SCC-34) “Product Performance Standards Relative to the Safe Use of Electromagnetic Energy,” SCC-28 “Safety Standards with Respect to Human Exposure to Electric, Magnetic, and Electromagnetic Fields,” and currently serves as Executive Secretary Treasurer of SCC39, which was formed by merging SCC-28 and SCC-34. He chairs the IEC Technical Committee 106 “Assessment of Exposure of Humans to Electric, Magnetic and Electromagnetic Fields.” He also served two 6-year terms on the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) where he chaired the Scientific Committee 89 “Non-Ionizing Radiation.”
This webinar contains 2.5 hours of instruction and may be eligible for ABIH CM credit. See the ABIH website (www.abih.org) for CM credit criteria. This webinar qualifies for .15 BCSP (SP) Continuance of Certification (COC) Point for Certified Safety Professionals. Participants seeking confirmation of attendance for the webinar from ACGIH® must attend the live webinar or view the archive and submit a final exam and evaluation. Certificates of Completion will be issued in a timely manner after receipt and completion of these items.
