2.2.2 Unconventional Effects The unconventional effects on the health and safety of the terrestrial worker result from exposure to toxic materials, safety hazards from the transport of highly explosive materials, all of the launch and recovery activities, and exposure to high-intensity electromagnetic fields (other than microwave) at the rectenna site. These are the same effects as were discussed previously concerning public health and safety. The difference between public and terrestrial worker impacts is one of degree and intensity. With regard to toxic material exposure, a toxic materials list, as already stated, has not yet been developed for SPS. A complete evaluation of the effects of these substances must be made when all of the materials have been identified. In transport accidents involving catastrophic explosions or fire, the workers involved (e.g., railroad crewmen, emergency personnel, etc.) are more likely to suffer injury and/or fatality than is the general public, but this aspect must be evaluated when a more detailed assessment of accident probability is made. The occupational health and safety effects of launch and recovery operations are known only insofar as they can be compared to conventional industrial operations (e.g., the use of threshold limit values for workroom air, the noise limits for workplaces, etc.). No systematic assessment has been made to date of the particular occupational health and safety problems created by SPS launch and recovery operations. As with public health effects, the effects of high-intensity electromagnetic fields on rectenna site workers' health have not been evaluated. 2.3 EFFECTS ON SPACE WORKERS The health and safety problems related to the uniqueness of the space environment are illustrated in Fig. 2.9. Some of the more important problems are weightlessness (zero gravity), life support, and the effects of the radiation environment.
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