EMF Testing for Deep Brain Stimulators (DBS)

IAQ-EMF Consulting Inc. is a national leader in EMF testing and electromagnetic interference (EMI) evaluations for industrial, commercial, healthcare, and utility environments. Since 1990, our certified experts have helped protect workers, contractors, and visitors who rely on implanted medical devices—including pacemakers, ICDs, and deep brain stimulators (DBS).

We measure real-world field strengths, identify EMI hazards, and establish safe operating distances using manufacturer guidelines published by Medtronic, Boston Scientific, and Abbott. If you need to determine whether a workplace, tool, substation, or industrial environment could interfere with your device, IAQ-EMF Consulting Inc. is provided by a Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH).

Diagram of a Deep Brain Stimulator

What Is Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)?

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is an advanced neuromodulation therapy widely used for treatment of:

Parkinson’s disease
Essential tremor
Dystonia

DBS involves surgically implanted electrodes connected to a neurostimulator—often referred to as a brain pacemaker. The system delivers precisely controlled electrical impulses to specific areas of the brain. Although not a cure, DBS can significantly reduce tremors and other symptoms, improving mobility and quality of life.

Leading DBS Device Manufacturers

Boston Scientific DBS

A leading neuromodulation provider known for its advanced programming flexibility and reliable device performance for patients with Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders.

Medtronic DBS Therapy

A pioneering DBS system offering long-term symptom reduction, often with the added benefit of reduced medication requirements and fewer medication-related side effects.

Why EMI Testing Matters for Medical Implants

Electrical systems, industrial equipment, permanent magnets, and certain wireless communication systems can produce electromagnetic fields strong enough to interfere with sensitive medical implants. Because pacemakers, ICDs, and DBS systems rely on precise electrical signaling, EMI exposure at close range may affect device performance.

Common workplace EMI sources include:

High-voltage electrical rooms and substations
Transformers and switchgear
Pump motors and turbine generators
Welders, grinders, and impact tools
Radiofrequency (RF) communication systems
Permanent magnets used in equipment or cabs
Heavy-equipment electrical systems

IAQ-EMF Consulting conducts site-specific measurements using calibrated instrumentation and follows standards such as IEEE C95.1, ICNIRP, and device-manufacturer EMI limits.

EMF & EMI Testing Services We Provide

IAQ-EMF Consulting Inc. delivers comprehensive services, including:

On-site EMF and EMI measurements
Safe-distance evaluations for pacemakers, ICDs, and DBS
Industrial-facility surveys (mining, utilities, manufacturing, pipelines, refineries)
Worker exposure assessments for safety teams and occupational health
Medical-device interference evaluations
DBS-specific hazard reviews
Expert witness reports for legal, insurance, and workers’ compensation cases
Detailed written reports for employers, physicians, engineers, and attorneys

Testing is performed with certified equipment and aligned with current safety standards.

When to Contact IAQ-EMF Consulting Inc.

You should request an EMF/EMI evaluation if you:

Have a pacemaker, ICD, or DBS implant and work around electrical or industrial equipment
Oversee a facility where employees or visitors rely on implanted devices
Need defensible EMF/EMI documentation for safety programs or risk assessments
Require manufacturer-based safe distances for implanted devices
Need expert reports for legal, insurance, or occupational health purposes
Operate an industrial, utility, or heavy-equipment environment where EMI may be present

Our team determines whether your environment is safe—and if not, what separation distances or engineering controls are required.

Contact the EMF Testing Experts

EMF Testing for Pacemakers, Defibrillators and Deep Brain Stimulators (DBS)