[Assessment of the portable radiophone users' exposure to electromagnetic fields, with use of numerical simulations and directive 2013/35/EU requirements].

BACKGROUND The assessment of electromagnetic field distribution near radiophones and their use warranted an analysis of ther mal exposure hazards and related health effects, based on i.e. numerical calculations of specific energy absorption rate (SAR). MATERIALS AND METHODS The investigation concerned radiophones of conventional and trunked communication systems. Electromagnetic hazards assessment involved numerical simulations of SAR inside users' models (male and female) for 5 radiophones locations - near the ear, arm, chest, hip and face. RESULTS Maximum SAR (10 g) values depend on radiophone type, output power and locations. Near the chest, hip and face they are 6-, 2- and 2-fold higher than for location near the ear. SAR (10 g) may exceed Directive 2013/35/EU limits at maximum (4 W) output power of conventional radiophones, and the distance between antenna and worker's body shorter than 5 cm. SAR (10 g) values near trunked radiophones do not exceed 35% of the Directive limits. The Polish safety and health regulations in particular cases of radiophones use and local exposure may not guarantee the compliance with Directive 2013/35/EU requirements, i.e. SAR (10 g) may locally exceed exposure limit values (ELVs) during exposure to electromagnetic fields of hazardous, and even intermediate zones. CONCLUSIONS It was demonstrated that exposure of trunked radiophones users does not exceed the limits laid down in the Polish safety and health regulations and Directive 2013/3/EU however, in particular scenarios of the conventional radiophones use overexposure can be observed. The results showed that in exposure to electromagnetic field emitted by sources located near workers' body there is a need for more detailed analysis of the compliance of Polish safety and health regulations with Directive 2013/35/EU requirements.