How far EMI affect pacemakers?

Hello!
I am a 48years male from India. I had a pacemaker implant last week and taking rest for now. I work in an airport and my job includes servicing, repairing and maintaining HF/VHF wireless transmitters and receivers, VHF/UHF landing aides and also radars. Except the radars all other transmitters are generally limited to 100 watts of output power. Does anybody out there work in such environment? Can anybody tell me how far the will the radiations affect my pacemaker? If I do not go near the antenna/aerial will it not be safe? Please post ur invaluable suggestions. Thanx.
Unnikrishnan

1 Comments

hope this helps

by sophiesnuggler - 2009-02-16 10:02:56

Hi Unnikrishnan,
I work in a nuclear power plant in maintenance...here is what I was told by Medtronic and our Industiral Hygenist: "Medtronic has indicated that areas with strong electrical and magnetic field strengths are to be avoided and has also indicated that electric fields strengths greater that 6 kV/m and magnetic field strengths greater than 1 gauss could potentially interfere with the safe operation of this model of pacemaker..... The employee should be aware that if dizziness or irregular heartbeat occurs near electrical equipment the employee should move away from the EMF source. Hand held devices should be held at least 6" away from the implant. The employee should not work at heights or in locations where they cannot easily move away from an EMF source....The employee should avoid direct contact with equipment such as welding machines, chain saws or powerful electro-magnets unless an evaluation is conducted..."
I would advise you to speak to your supervision at your place of work and contact the company your pacemaker is from for more information. You should find that most things are safe for you to work on you may just have some restrictions. i.e. distance from source, working alone... Be informed is the most important thing I can tell you. It is all overwelming right now I am sure. It was for me. I had my implant this past December. You will feel better once you have a clearer understanding of everything.
Best wishes,
Kathy

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