FED: Radiation a silent hazard for plastics workers

AAP General News (Australia)
04-29-1999
FED: Radiation a silent hazard for plastics workers

By Rada Rouse, National Medical Correspondent

BRISBANE, April 29 AAP - Radio frequency radiation may be a silent health hazard for
workers in the plastics and paper industries, according to one of Australia's few studies of
employees' exposure.

The study in south-east Queensland indicated that in four out of five different types of
plant, radio frequency (RF) radiation exposure was likely to be over the recommended limit,
state government Workplace Health and Safety inspector Jill Wright said.

Ms Wright, a senior inspector in the department of employment, training and industrial
relations, said the study in 29 workplaces uncovered widespread ignorance of the potential
dangers.

"The fact is that most employers didn't have any idea of the extent of exposure of their
workers," Ms Wright said.

RF fields had only been measured in 35 per cent of workplaces.

"We know that epidemiological studies show statistically significant numbers of workers
handling RF generating plant will suffer problems such as cataracts, low sperm counts and
burns," Ms Wright said.

"The trouble is that you can't see it, smell it or taste it and people working with it just
take it for granted."

She said the project uncovered widespread exposure of workers who were not actually
operating RF plant: a quarter of those just working nearby were potentially over the exposure
limit.

Machines generating RF radiation include those used to weld plastics together, to emboss
plastics, to dry wood and paper, and to produce pipes and beams.

Ms Wright said poor maintenance was exposing workers to radiation leaks.

In one workplace, poor lighting and ergonomic design meant the workers' exposure was
increased because they had to stoop close to the machine.

"In another workplace we found containers of solvent in the RF field area - and they can
literally explode if heated," Ms Wright said.

Employers were required to meet Australian standards for radiation exposure and would be
liable if they did not comply with industrial legislation requiring them to control workers'
exposure to risk.

AAP rr/hu

KEYWORD: RADIATION

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