NIRMA on the move: mapping electromagnetic environments at CERN

The students, in high visibility, smiling whilst standing behind the doors of a small white van. Upon which is mounted a small white cube, the NIRMA sensor. The vehicle displays the NIRMA logo and QR codes for more info.

Kristian Andersen (left) and Asbjoern Hansen (right), Danish interns in the HSE-OHS-GI Section, standing next to the NIRMA project vehicle mounted with TURTLE. (Image: CERN)

 | By HSE department

Over the coming weeks, you may notice a vehicle equipped with antennas driving slowly on the CERN roads. This is part of the Non-Ionising Radiation Mapping and Assessment (NIRMA) project.

The vehicle is equipped with the TURTLE (Top-mounted Unit for NIR Time-averaged Field Level Evaluation), a mobile unit dedicated to measuring electromagnetic fields in the environment. It does not record images, audio, personal data or vehicle information, and the equipment does not emit any radiation – the measurements are purely passive.

Why is this important? NIRMA ensures the safety of CERN workers, visitors and the public, especially those with active implantable medical devices (e.g. pacemakers). The project is intended to confirm compliance with regulatory limits, identify areas with higher field levels and support preventive measures where needed.

Find out more at https://cern.ch/nirma.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

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