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Vol 64, No 4 (2013)
Original article
Submitted: 2013-12-17
Accepted: 2013-12-17
Published online: 2013-12-17
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Accidental exposure to electromagnetic fields from the radar of a naval ship: a descriptive study

Bente E. Moen, Ole Jacob Møllerløkken, Nils Bull, Gunnhild Oftedal, Kjell Hansson Mild
DOI: 10.5603/IMH.2013.0001
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IMH 2013;64(4):177-182.

open access

Vol 64, No 4 (2013)
MARITIME/OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE Original article
Submitted: 2013-12-17
Accepted: 2013-12-17
Published online: 2013-12-17

Abstract

Part of a crew on a Norwegian naval ship was exposed to the radar waves for approximately 7 min from an American destroyer during an incident at sea in August 2012. Information about the exposure was not given by the navy. This is a description of what happened with the crew on board after this event. 14 persons had been on the ship bridge or outside on the deck during the exposure and the rest of the crew had been inside the ship. 27 persons were examined at a hospital 6–8 months after the event, as they had developeda large number of symptoms from different organ systems. They were very worried about all types of possible adverse health effects due to the incident. All were examined by an occupational physician and anophthalmologist, by an interview, clinical examinations and blood tests at the hospital. The interview of the personnel revealed that they had not experienced any major heating during the episode. Their symptoms developed days or weeks after the radar exposure. They had no objective signs of adverse health effects at the examination related to the incident. Long-term health effect from the exposure is highly unlikely. The development of different symptoms after the incident was probably due to the fear of possible health consequences. Better routines for such incidents at sea should be developed to avoid this type of anxiety.

Abstract

Part of a crew on a Norwegian naval ship was exposed to the radar waves for approximately 7 min from an American destroyer during an incident at sea in August 2012. Information about the exposure was not given by the navy. This is a description of what happened with the crew on board after this event. 14 persons had been on the ship bridge or outside on the deck during the exposure and the rest of the crew had been inside the ship. 27 persons were examined at a hospital 6–8 months after the event, as they had developeda large number of symptoms from different organ systems. They were very worried about all types of possible adverse health effects due to the incident. All were examined by an occupational physician and anophthalmologist, by an interview, clinical examinations and blood tests at the hospital. The interview of the personnel revealed that they had not experienced any major heating during the episode. Their symptoms developed days or weeks after the radar exposure. They had no objective signs of adverse health effects at the examination related to the incident. Long-term health effect from the exposure is highly unlikely. The development of different symptoms after the incident was probably due to the fear of possible health consequences. Better routines for such incidents at sea should be developed to avoid this type of anxiety.

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Keywords

electronic interference, microwaves, navy, warmth feeling

About this article
Title

Accidental exposure to electromagnetic fields from the radar of a naval ship: a descriptive study

Journal

International Maritime Health

Issue

Vol 64, No 4 (2013)

Article type

Original article

Pages

177-182

Published online

2013-12-17

Page views

2958

Article views/downloads

10107

DOI

10.5603/IMH.2013.0001

Bibliographic record

IMH 2013;64(4):177-182.

Keywords

electronic interference
microwaves
navy
warmth feeling

Authors

Bente E. Moen
Ole Jacob Møllerløkken
Nils Bull
Gunnhild Oftedal
Kjell Hansson Mild

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