Exposures representative of traction current magnetic fields in hybrid and electric vehicles - II: Safety factors provided by field reference levels

Numerical simulations based on an anatomically detailed human model exposed to low frequency magnetic fields that are representative of traction current paths in vehicles with electrical powertrains have been used to estimate the safety factors provided by magnetic field reference levels at frequencies below 3 kHz. The possible implications of different vehicle constructions on the magnetic field exposure are also considered. The results indicate that the ICNIRP 2010 magnetic field reference levels may not provide sufficient protection in terms of the associated basic restrictions on internal electric field. However, the ICNIRP 1998 magnetic field reference levels do provide positive safety factors for the associated basic restrictions on induced current density, as well as for the ICNIRP 2010 restrictions on internal electric field. It is therefore recommended that in-vehicle low frequency magnetic field exposure evaluations should be based on the ICNIRP 1998 field reference levels.