Occupational magnetic field exposures of garment workers: Results of personal and survey measurements

Abstract

To explore the feasibility of performing an epidemiologic study of female breast cancer and magnetic field (MF) exposures, we chose to study garment workers, who reportedly have some of the highest MF exposures. We collected personal exposure (PE, n = 48) and survey measurements (n = 77) near commercial sewing machines at three garment facilities and conducted a pilot interview among 25 garment workers asking about exposure duration, activities, and machine characteristics. MF levels were higher for older machines with alternating current (AC) than newer machines with direct current (DC) motors. MF levels were comparable for both idling and sewing activities. Most interviewed workers could describe duration of exposure and machine type (automatic/manual), but not other machine characteristics. Measurements were lower than previously reported for garment workers but were higher than exposures to most women. A historical exposure assessment can be conducted by linking duration of exposure with reconstructed exposure measurements but may be limited by the accuracy of work history data.

Occupational 50 Hz magnetic field exposure measurements among female sewing machine operators in Hungary

“…Our findings support the conclusion of Kelsh et al [2003], that the age of a sewing machine is a general attribute that may strongly correlate with various technical developments over the years. Newer machines are perhaps more efficient, require less power, and thus lower current than older ones, and exhibit lower MFs.…”

“…Estimated mean daily times of usage of home sewing machines were 17 min. Kelsh et al [2003] found that the measured differences in field levels between sewing and idling (the machine was on, but not being used) conditions were not significant. The mean survey measurements, averaged over all body locations, at 60 Hz for AC machines were 1.71 and 1.22 mT for a sewing machine shop and a sample facility.…”

“…The trend was found for sewing machines by all manufacturers, and for both 220 and 380 V machines. Kelsh et al [2003] found a trend of 0.27, 0.54, and 0.67 mT survey measurement means at the waist at a location for the three age groups of sewing machines:…”

“…It was found [Kelsh et al, 2003] that MFs near sewing machines do not contain frequency components of unusual magnitudes or frequencies, nor do the numbers of rapid field changes exceed levels measured in homes. Given the lack of unique MF environment for garment workers an EMDEX meter is sufficient.…”

“…Earlier measurement results suggested that occupational MF exposure may be higher than average among sewing machine operators, who are typically women [Hansen et al, 2000;Kelsh et al, 2003]. Previous occupational MF epidemiologic studies tended to classify sewing machine operating women into the highest occupational MF exposure category.…”