Evaluation of Induced Currents in Human Models by Power Frequency Electromagnetic Fields Using a BEM Technique

Abstract

One of the main topics in the research activity concerning electric and magnetic fields at power frequency is nowadays the analysis of the interaction between these fields and the living organisms and, in particular, the evaluation of the induced currents which flow in the exposed body. In fact, since the biological tissues of living organisms present a low but non negligible electrical conductivity, the interaction gives rise to induced currents which flow in the human body and can have magnitude comparable with the physiological currents usually present in our organism. The intensity and the distribution of the induced currents depend not only on the applied fields, but also on the characteristics of the living organism (dimensions, shape, electromagnetic characteristics of the different tissues, etc.). As a consequence, the knowledge of these currents represents a fundamental goal for the extrapolation of the results of the biological researches, developed in laboratory on simple living structures, to human beings^1,2,3.