| Title | Safety of High Speed Guided Ground Transportation Systems: An Overview of Biological Effects and Mechanisms Relevant to EMF Exposures from Mass Transit and Electric Rail Systems |
|---|---|
| Record ID | 33541 |
| Personal Name Creator |
Goldberg, R.B.; Creasey, W.A.; Foster, K.R. |
| Source | 180p. in various pagings |
| Corporate Creator | Information Ventures |
| Corporate Contributor |
John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (U.S.); United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Railroad Administration. Office of Research and Development |
| Publisher | United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Railroad Administration |
| Publication Date | 19930800 |
| Language | English |
| Abstract | The U.S. has implemented a national initiative to develop maglev (magnetic levitation) and other high-speed rail (HSR) systems. There are concerns for potential adverse health effects of the Extremely Lou Frequency (3-3,000 Hz) electric and magnetic fields (EMF) produced by these systems. The Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Radiation Programs is assisting the Federal Railroad Administration address these concerns; this comprehensive review is part of that effort. It outlines magnetic field exposure measurements of the TR07 German maglev system compared with other HSR and conventional systems. Reported biological and health effects of EHF are reviewed, and their significance assessed in relation to the characteristics of fields generated by maglev and HSR systems. Among the conclusions: maglev emissions are unique in their patterns and time-varying intensities but flux densities fall within exposure guidelines; epidemiologic results suggest a low-level health risk for power-line frequency EHF, at present the most relevant risk to ascribe to maglev systems; bioeffects may occur at specific window frequencies and intensities; the most convincing effects ascribed to EMF are altered circadian rhythms of melatonin secretion, modulation of transmembrane calcium transport, slight increases in the risks for some rare cancers, and mild behavioral disturbances. |
| Rosap ID | dot:8678 |
| Rosap URL | https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/8678 |
| TRT Terms | High speed rail; Crash exposure; Railroad trains; Transportation safety; Railroad safety; Physiology; Bibliographies; Health |
| General Subjects | Electric and magnetic fields (EMF); Extremely low frequency (ELF); Power line frequency; Static magnetic fields; EMF analysis; Electrified rail; Trains; Magnetically-levitated trains (maglev); Power substations; Health effects; Biological effects, animal; Biological effects, human; Biological effects, in vitro; Epidemiologic studies; Experimental studies; Literature review |
| Classification | NTL - SAFETY AND SECURITY - SAFETY AND SECURITY; NTL - SAFETY AND SECURITY - Human Factors |
| Geographical Coverage |
United States |
| Contract Number | RR393/R4021 |
| Report Number | D0T-VNTSC-FRA-93-19; DOT/FRA/ORD-93/32 |
| Availability | Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, Technical Reference Center |
| Resource type | Tech Report |
| URL | https://ntlrepository.blob.core.windows.net/lib/33000/33500/33541/33541.pdf |
| Format | |
| Database | NTL Digital Repository |