Assessment of Personal Occupational Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields in Libraries and Media Libraries, Using Calibrated On-Body Exposimeters.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: With the spread of Wifi networks, safety concerns have arisen, with complaints of somatic disorders, notably in traditional libraries and media libraries. The aim of the present study was to describe the conditions and levels of exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields in the real-life occupational conditions of those working in traditional libraries and media libraries. METHODS: Dynamic measurements, using an exposimeter, were taken in 20 radiofrequency bands from 88 to 5850 MHz. The activity of 28 library workers was analyzed on a space-time budget. An audit of exposure sources and static measurements enabled the work-places to be mapped. RESULTS: In seven libraries, 78,858 samples were taken over the 20 radiofrequency bands from 88 to 5850 MHz. Exposure was described for 28 working days. The median total field was 0.071 V/m (10th percentile: 0.022 V/m, 90th percentile: 0.534 V/m) and for Wifi the median field was 0.005 V/m (10th percentile: 0.005 V/m, 90th percentile: 0.028 V/m). Median individual exposure to Wifi frequency waves ranged from 0.005 to 0.040 V/m. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the occupational exposure in this sector was close to the exposure in the general population. Peaks were due to the use of walkie-talkies by security staff. Exposure due to external sources depended on geographic location. Exposure in this occupation is well below the general occupational exposure levels, notably as regards Wifi.

Working conditions in call-centers, the impact on employee health: a transversal study. Part II.

PURPOSE: The present study sought to assess the impact of telephone call center employees' working conditions on health by identifying at-risk employment situations. METHODS: A transversal study was performed in companies followed by 47 occupational physicians taking part (working conditions have been previously described). A self-administered medical questionnaire was used to collect data on absence due to sick leave, hearing and visual problems, musculoskeletal disorders, psychotropic drug use, etc. An analog-scale self-assessment of health status and a general health questionnaire (GHQ-12) were used. Personal or familial events that might underlie health problems and affect GHQ-12 results were quantified and taken into account in a logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 2,130 call-handlers were included. Workers who had availed sick leave during the previous 12 months were 60%. The most frequent musculoskeletal complaints over the previous 12-month period concerned the cervical region (59%). During the same period, 77.3% of subjects experienced visual fatigue, 50% reported auditory fatigue signs and 47% vocal disturbance or fatigue. According to the Likert scale, 39.4% of workers had showed psychological distress. Almost 24% of the workers had used psychoactive medication during the previous 12 months. A significant association was found between psychological distress and the frequency of musculoskeletal disorders. Psychological distress and musculoskeletal disorders were significantly greater in workers with Job Strain and Iso Strain. After taking non-occupational factors into account, some occupational factors were found to increase the risk of psychological distress (Likert >12): imposed full-time schedule, being unable to simultaneously meet both quality and quantity requirements, situations of tension with clients, negative comments from superiors, and lack of recognition from superiors. CONCLUSIONS: This survey of over 2,000 call center employees highlighted the high frequency of psychological distress in this population and the health impact of working conditions.

Call-handlers' working conditions and their subjective experience of work: a transversal study.

OBJECTIVES: The present study sought to describe call-center working conditions and call-handlers' subjective experience of their work. METHODS: A transversal study was performed in companies followed by the 47 occupational physicians taking part. A dedicated questionnaire included one part on working conditions (work-station organization, task types, work schedules, and controls) and another on the perception of working conditions. Psychosocial risk factors were explored by three dimensions of the Karasek questionnaire, decision latitude, psychological demands and social support. A descriptive stage characterized the population and quantified the frequency of the various types of work organization, working conditions and perception. Certain working conditions data were crossed with perception data. RESULTS: The total sample comprised 2,130 call-handlers from around 100 different companies. The population was 71.9% female, with a mean age of 32.4 years. The general educational level was high, with 1,443 (68.2%) of call-handlers having at least 2 years' higher education; 1,937 of the workers (91.2%) had permanent work contracts. Some working situations were found to be associated with low decision latitude and high psychological demands: i.e., where the schedule (full-time or part-time) was imposed, where the call-handlers had not chosen to work in a call-center, or where they received prior warning of controls. Moreover, the rate of low decision latitude and high psychological demands increased with seniority in the job. The rate of low decision latitude increased with the size of the company and was higher when call duration was imposed and when the call-handlers handled only incoming calls. The rate of high psychological demands was higher when call-handlers handled both incoming and outgoing calls. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirmed the high rate of psychosocial constraints for call-handlers and identified work situations at risk.