EMF RAPID Program, Project #5: Development of an EMF Measurement Database

This introduction is taken from the interim report for this project.

Last updated: October 1, 1997

Principal Investigator:

T. Dan Bracken
T. Dan Bracken, Inc.
Portland, Oregon


INTRODUCTION

The EMF measurement data sets in existence today were compiled with varying goals and techniques. Consequently, they have different information content as well as varying logical and physical structure. Future studies will continue to pursue varying goals and utilize techniques that cannot be known in advance. Primary goals for the EMF Measurements Database developed under the Department of Energy EMF RAPID Program are to develop a database structure that can accommodate the diversity of EMF data sets, provide guidance for production of future EMF data sets, and serve as an accessible repository of EMF measurement data.

Specific objectives of the EMF Measurements Database are:

In addition, the EMF Measurements Database will encourage additional analysis of existing data sets, facilitate analysis of data from multiple projects, support design of new studies, and permit future issues in EMF exposure assessment to be addressed with existing data.

Preservation of study descriptions and data is accomplished with a formal, but open, structure. Specifications have been developed for the various elements of the database. Each data set in the database is formally described by a metadata file. The structured metadata file describes the origin, development, logical and physical structure and distribution mechanism for each data set. The metadata for each data set is generated according to a specification developed for the EMF Measurements Database.

The actual measurement data is contained in data products for each data set. The number and type of data product will vary by data set. Most of the data products in the possession of the EMF Measurements Database are available for download from an Internet site. For some data sets, the data products will be maintained by other parties who may have their own access procedures.

In addition, data set contributors or users can provide reports that describe results of the study and analysis of the data with text and figures. Guidelines have been developed for preparation of reports.

Access to the EMF Measurements Database is provided via an Internet site (http://www.emf-data.org). The site provides descriptive information in a home page, access to data products with a file transfer protocol (ftp) address, and links to other EMF-related sites.

By providing ready access to data and information about EMF studies, we hope to achieve the third objective of fostering communication among researchers.

The purpose of this report is to compile a brief description of the database and to provide examples of the work products developed during the first phase of the Development of an EMF Measurements Database from April, 1995 to December, 1996. The following topics are presented: Section 2: Internet Site; Section 3: Data Set Components; Section 4: Data Set Submission; Section 5: Intellectual Property Issues; Section 6: Available Data Sets. Supporting documents and examples of work products are contained in the Appendices. The best way to experience the Database is to visit the web site at http://www.emf-data.org.

The Development of the EMF Measurements Database is sponsored by the Department of Energy EMF RAPID Program under Lockheed-Martin Energy Systems Contract No. 62X-ST72V.