RFID and occupational health and safety: risk assessment of the technology

What does “human exposure” mean with RFID?

The introduction of RFID technology in companies not only brings efficiency gains, but also raises questions about occupational safety. Works councils and health officers are particularly concerned with the issue of human exposure - i.e. the potential interaction of electromagnetic fields with the human body. The focus is particularly on people with medical implants such as pacemakers.

The good news is that extensive studies and tests show that UHF RFID (ultra-high frequency) does not interact with such implants. Nevertheless, there are misunderstandings that we would like to clear up here.

UHF RFID: No danger for implants or pacemakers

Modern RFID systems use different frequency ranges, whereby UHF (ultra-high frequency) in particular has proven to be safe. Studies, such as those conducted by the Food and Drug Administration Center for Device and Radiological Health, clearly show this:

• No interactions with implanted pacemakers or defibrillators in the UHF range.
• No permanent or temporary interference with implanted devices.
• No evidence of safety-relevant effects in the operating environment.

In contrast, minimal interactions can occur in the low-frequency ranges (LF, HF), especially when RFID antennas and implants are in close proximity. However, this does not apply to UHF RFID, which has no interactions and does not require direct proximity to the antenna due to its long ranges.

Why do misunderstandings occur?

One reason for uncertainty is the general fear of electromagnetic radiation and its potential effects. Many regulations refer to all frequency ranges across the board without differentiating between LF, HF and UHF. It is crucial to differentiate between which technology is used in which environment.

Another misunderstanding arises from general warnings on implants. Pacemaker manufacturers are obliged to draw attention to potential sources of interference, even if only in extremely unlikely scenarios. In fact, the responsibility for electromagnetic compatibility lies primarily with the implant manufacturers and not with the RFID systems.

In addition, people who knowingly work in an electromagnetic field have a higher acceptance value for radiation than people who are unknowingly in this field. This is why the legal limits for RFID antennas are particularly strict and the transmission power must be regulated accordingly.

Occupational health and safety and RFID: What does this mean for your company?

Works councils and health and safety officers can rest assured:

• Works councils and health and safety officers can rest assured:
• All relevant limit values are complied with - modern antenna systems, such as those from Kathrein, are subject to strict guidelines and are well below critical values.

Pregnant women and other sensitive groups are not at risk, as the exposure levels of UHF RFID are below the regulatory requirements.

Conclusion: Carefree into the digital future with UHF RFID

The digitalization of processes through RFID is a decisive step for many companies - and with the right technology, there are no security risks. UHF RFID has proven to be completely harmless, so even people with pacemakers or other implants are not exposed to any danger.

So anyone concerned about health and safety when introducing RFID can rest assured. With UHF, there is no compromise between safety and efficiency.