Electromagnetic fields, or EMF, are ubiquitous in our daily life. Extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF MF) are generated by any device using electric current. Especially in workplace situations involving MRI scanners, welding equipment, induction heaters, and power plants, they are known for potentially high field strengths. These high field strengths may lead to adverse health effects if insufficient preventive measures are in place. This study investigates employees’ perceptions on work safety regarding EMF exposure. We held 15 semi-structured interviews in three different (non-nuclear) power plants in the Netherlands. We found that power plants in this study made ample use of fences and warning signs where needed, creating a safe working environment. Nevertheless, some workers perceive that there are vague regulations, organizational issues and lack of clarity on the properties of EMF. Participants also indicated that there is some room for improvement with respect to work safety meetings on EMF. Employees want to be informed about EMF and its potential health effects and mitigation methods, but their information need is limited and straightforward. A simple warning system, along with safety information on paper, may be sufficient. https://doi.org/10.1080/13669877.2020.1750459 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-bolte-0856134/
MULTIFILE
In het SaxShirt-project wordt een comfortabel shirt ontwikkeld waarmee fysiologische aspecten van de drager kunnen worden gemeten, zonder dat de drager daar extra inspanning voor hoeft te leveren. Dergelijke technologieën noemen we Zero Effort Technologies (Baecker, 2011). De belangrijkste fysiologische aspecten die in eerste instantie gemeten gaan worden zijn: 1) temperatuur 2) hartslag 3) ademhaling. Het project is gestart in september 2013. Het doel is om in oktober 2014 een praktisch demonstratiemodel te hebben van het shirt waarmee de mogelijkheden van de huidige technologie kunnen worden gedemonstreerd. Het is belangrijk dat het shirt niet alleen comfortabel zit, maar ook robuust en eenvoudig te wassen en reinigen is. Voorafgaand aan dit project zijn er al verscheidene onderzoeken en ontwikkelingen geweest om mogelijkheden voor het shirt te onderzoeken. Om een definitief implementatieplan te kunnen opstellen voor het huidige project, was er behoefte om nog eenmaal een korte verbredende onderzoeksfase uit te voeren. Dit rapport is het resultaat van deze fase. Na de verbredende fase zijn in november 2013 besluiten genomen en is begonnen aan de implementatie van het demonstratiemodel. De belangrijke momenten staan in onderstaand overzicht: • Oktober 2013: Start SaxShirt Project • November 2013: Vaststellen Plan van Aanpak (PvA) voor implementatie • Juli 2014: Afronden implementatie • Oktober 2014: Oplevering eerste demonstratiemodel SaxShirt Dit rapport beschrijft de state-of-the art van technieken waarmee bovenstaande fysiologische aspecten kunnen worden gemeten. Het doel van dit rapport is om een overzicht van in textiel-integreerbare fysiologische sensoren te geven. Dit overzicht dient als basis en discussiestuk voor het pan van aanpak voor de implementatie en kan worden gebruikt als introductie voor nieuwe medewerkers op het SaxShirt project.
MULTIFILE
Knowledge of spatial and temporal trends in the environmental exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) is a key prerequisite for RF-EMF risk assessment studies attempting to establish a link between RF-EMF and potential effects on human health as well as on fauna and flora. In this paper, we determined the validity of RF exposure modelling based on inner-area kriging interpolation of measurements on the surrounding streets. The results vary depending on area size and shape and structural factors; a Spearman coefficient of 0.8 and a relative error of less than 3.5 dB are achieved on a data set featuring a closed measurement ring around a decently sized area (1 km2, with an average minimum distance of the encircled area to the ring of less than 100 m), containing mainly low, detached buildings. In larger areas, additional inner-area sampling is advised, lowering the average minimum distance between sampled and interpolated locations to 100 m, to achieve the same level of accuracy. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2016.06.006 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-bolte-0856134/
Every year the police are confronted with an ever increasing number of complex cases involving missing persons. About 100 people are reported missing every year in the Netherlands, of which, an unknown number become victims of crime, and presumed buried in clandestine graves. Similarly, according to NWVA, several dead animals are also often buried illegally in clandestine graves in farm lands, which may result in the spread of diseases that have significant consequences to other animals and humans in general. Forensic investigators from both the national police (NP) and NWVA are often confronted with a dilemma: speed versus carefulness and precision. However, the current forensic investigation process of identifying and localizing clandestine graves are often labor intensive, time consuming and employ classical techniques, such as walking sticks and dogs (Police), which are not effective. Therefore, there is an urgent request from the forensic investigators to develop a new method to detect and localize clandestine graves quickly, efficiently and effectively. In this project, together with practitioners, knowledge institutes, SMEs and Field labs, practical research will be carried out to devise a new forensic investigation process to identify clandestine graves using an autonomous Crime Scene Investigative (CSI) drone. The new work process will exploit the newly adopted EU-wide drone regulation that relaxes a number of previously imposed flight restrictions. Moreover, it will effectively optimize the available drone and perception technologies in order to achieve the desired functionality, performance and operational safety in detecting/localizing clandestine graves autonomously. The proposed method will be demonstrated and validated in practical operational environments. This project will also make a demonstrable contribution to the renewal of higher professional education. The police and NVWA will be equipped with operating procedures, legislative knowledge, skills and technological expertise needed to effectively and efficiently performed their forensic investigations.
