Degausser / Tape Eraser Safety Information

Currently there are no widely published statutory regulations limiting the magnitude of magnetic fields in the work place. (Non-ionising radiation).

The NRPB (National Radiological Protection Board UK) have issued a guidance document (NRPB GS11, 1989). These guidelines are not statutory but set out to give a guide to those concerned with the possible effects of working in a continuous magnetic field. Broadly the guidelines recommend that the magnetic flux density for industrial workers should be 2.0 milli-tesla. This limit was reduced to 1.6 milli-tesla in the NRPB publication, 'Documents of the NRPB' Volume 4, No. 5. Further comments on the subject is contained within the NRPB document NRPB-R265 (ISBN 085951-366-1) in which a section specifically discusses degaussers and in the WHO (World Health Organisation) publication, 'Non-ionising Radiation Protection' (ISBN 928011165).

An EC draft pre-standard has also now been issued (prENV50166-1) for human exposure to electromagnetic fields which also established a limit of 1.6 milli-tesla.

Verity Systems' range of degaussers are designed to fall within the recommended guidelines issued by the NRPB within a normal workplace environment.

Persons fitted with Pacemakers

Although it is generally recognised the magnetic fields below 25 gauss will not affect or interrupt the operation of a heart pacemaker, Verity Systems recommend that to avoid accidental contact with the magnetic field, persons fitted with heart pacemakers should not be allowed within one metre of a degausser while operating.

Further information and printed matter can be obtained from:

Health Protection Agency Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards
Chilton, Didcot, Oxon, OX11 0RQ, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1235 831600.
Fax +44 (0) 1235 833891
E-mail: rpd@hpa-rp.org.uk
Web: http://www.hpa.org.uk/radiation/

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