Assessment of the Need for Protection against Electromagnetic Radiation of Personnel Onboard Warships

Abstract

The biological effects of electromagnetic fields on human factor have been widely studied. This paper intends to evaluate the necessity of protection against electromagnetic radiations in the case of a warship with various types of transmitters: HF, VHF, and UHF communication stations, various types of radars operating in the frequency range of 1 - 10 GHz, and direct beam transmitters - fire control systems, electronic warfare systems, etc.

In order to analyze the impact of electromagnetic radiation on seafarers onboard naval ships, first there need to be identified the potentially dangerous areas, located in the proximity of emitting antennas. The safety distance to the radiation field is computed with Friis transmission formula in the free space, and potentially dangerous areas are located at lower ranges from the emission source. There were performed a series of electromagnetic field measurements, for frequency range 20- 2000 MHz, in areas often transited by crew members and situated at insufficient range from all the antennas.

Even though electric field levels did not indicate reasons for concern, an extensive study must be further performed, with measurements in multiple frequency ranges and in various configurations of operating transmitters.