occupational exposure of train drivers to static and extremely low frequency magnetic fields in tehran subway

Background: electrification of transport systems currently deserves top priority in iran. such systems generate a magnetic field in static or extremely low frequency ranges. therefore, train drivers may be exposed to these fields occupationally. objectives: the current study aimed to measure the intensity of static magnetic field (smf) and extremely low frequency magnetic fields (elf-mf) in the subway trains of tehran city in different train types and situations toshowdrivers’ exposure tosmfand elf-mf. methods: two ac and dc trains were randomly selected from lines 1 and 2, one ac train from line 4, and two aci trains from line 5. the smf and elf-mf levels were measured based on bs en 50500:2008 and recommendations in other studies using tes-1394 (elfmf meter) and hi-3550 (smf meter). ceiling values of elf-mf and smf were used for assessment of train driver’s exposure. one-way anova, with tukey post hoc test, and independent sample t-test were used for data analysis. results: maximum smf and elf-mf exposures were 0.52 mt (at dc trains- in trip situation) and 7.90 µt (at aci trains- in trip situation), respectively, and the minimum exposures to smf and elf-mf were measured among the drivers of aci (< 0.1 mt- in all situations) and ac trains (0.08 µt- in acceleration situation), respectively. conclusions: as the obtained results suggest, in none of the situations, exposure of train drivers to elf-mf and smf exceeded the threshold limits recommended by acgih. however, the effects of these fields should not be ignored because different studies have reported adverse health consequences of these fields.