3.7 hazardous materials and hazardous waste - Missile Defense ...

Chapter 3—Affected Environmentlikely to experience. The FAA thresholds for operating in high intensityradiated field environments are 3,000 volts per meter (peak power) and300 volts per meter (average power).Radiation HazardsOperation of radars may generate levels of EMR that are above thestandards set to prevent harm to humans. Radars may also generateEMR that is great enough to cause the inadvertent detonation ofordnance or the inadvertent ignition of fuels.Human Exposure. The EMR that is generated by radars, microwaveovens, cellular phones, etc. is non-ionizing radiation that is absorbed intothe human body in the form of heat. This causes the temperature of thebody to rise. At low intensities, the heat that is induced by EMR can beaccommodated by the thermoregulatory capabilities of the individualsexposed. Thus, any effects produced would generally be reversible. Athigh intensities, the body’s ability to regulate temperature through bloodflow and sweat may be exceeded, which could lead to cell tissue damage(Hanscom AFB, 1991—EA HAVE STARE Radar).All current standards are based upon a 1982 report published by ANSI.The results of that report state that laboratory animals may be affectedby specific absorption rates above 4 watts per kilogram, if maintained forprotracted periods of time. Therefore, ANSI adopted a 10-fold safetymargin specifying a maximum absorption rate of 0.4 watt per kilogramaveraged over the whole body and 8 watts per kilogram in any one gramof tissue (IEEE, Inc., 1982—American National Safety Levels withRespect to Human Exposure to Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Fields).In 1991, the IEEE published a revision to the 1982 ANSI report. Thisrevision has since been adopted by the DOD as the standard forprotecting personnel from radiation hazards (Department of Defense,1996—Protection of DoD Personnel from Exposure to RadiofrequencyRadiation and Military Exempt Lasers). The revision defined personnelexposure limits as a function of frequency in controlled and uncontrolledenvironments. Controlled environments represent areas that may beoccupied by personnel who accept potential exposure as a contingent ofemployment or duties, by individuals who knowingly enter areas wheresuch levels are to be expected, and by personnel passing through suchareas. Uncontrolled environments generally represent living quarters,workplaces, or public access areas where personnel would not expect toencounter higher levels of radio frequency energy. In the X-Bandfrequency range, the more stringent personnel exposure limits are inuncontrolled environments. (See table 3.8-1.) These personnel exposurelimits range from 5.33 to 8 milliwatts per square centimeter for anaverage time of 11.25 minutes to 7.5 minutes respectively (IEEE, Inc.,3-228 NMD Deployment Final EIS