In silico modelling of influence from low or intermediate frequency magnetic fields on users of wearable insulin pumps

Abstract

Purpose: The aim was to model the effects of exposure to a low or intermediate frequency electromagnetic field (LIF-EMF), characterized by the electric field induced in the body, in order to evaluate how the type of insulin needle and the way it is injected influences the exposed user of a wearable insulin pump.

Material and methods: Numerical models of exposure scenarios (sources of LIF-EMF, with a dominant magnetic component: 50Hz–1MHz; the insulin needle type; the way it is injected and insulin pump user) were worked out. The influence of the insulin needle on the user’s safety (the ratio of the induced electric field in tissues surrounding the needle and tissues of a person without an injection, both exposed identically) were calculated.

Results: The effects of LIF-EMF exposure in insulin pump users were found to be up to approximately 7-times higher, varying with statistically significance (p < .05) with the material of the needle, the way it is injected and the polarization of the affecting magnetic field.

Conclusions: When steel insulin needles is used, the assessment of user’s EMF exposure should be carried out using magnetic field limits at least 5-times lower than given in general international requirements.

Keywords:

• Induced electric field
• numerical simulations
• human body
• diabetes
• needle
• induction hob
• magneto therapy applicator

Acknowledgements

Authors thank Paulina Kozioł and Wiesław Leszko for help in the technical part of investigation.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported within the National Programme ‘Improvement of safety and working conditions’ in Poland – within the scope of state services – by the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy (task 2.G.07) and within the scope of research and development – by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education/National Centre for Research and Development (task II.P.14). The CIOP-PIB is the Program’s main co-ordinator.