[Exposure to electromagnetic fields with frequencies of 50 Hz and changes in the circulatory system in workers at electrical power stations].

Abstract

Bearing in mind a great diffusion of electromagnetic fields (EMF) with power-line frequency (in Poland-50 Hz) both in the occupational and communal environments, it is not surprising that possible health effects related to this exposure evoke much interest. Electromagnetic fields may affect the circulatory and nervous systems because of theoretical probability that electric impulses, generated by external electric and magnetic fields, may disturb their functions. For this reason we have decided to evaluate the functioning of the circulatory system in persons occupationally exposed to power-line frequency electromagnetic fields by employing the most up-to-date methods facilitating the in-depth diagnosis of the circulatory system and neurovegetative mechanisms. The work presented focused on the evaluation of electrocardiographic changes. The study covered 63 workers of the transforming and distributing stations, aged 22-67 years (median 39 +/- 10), employed under exposure for 2-43 years (median 15 +/- 10). The control group consisted of 42 workers of radio link stations, aged 23-65 years (median 30 +/- 14), employed in the similar system but not exposed to EMF, with employment duration of 1-42 years (median 13 +/- 4). All persons were subject to general medical examinations, resting ECG, and 24 h Holter monitoring. In addition, the level of exposure in individual workplaces was estimated following the measurements of the intensity of electric and magnetic fields. In workers of electromagnetic stations an increased risk for electrocardiographic disturbances was revealed. Under conditions of exposure to electric fields, observed in stations where workers were employed, the risk was increased by 10%.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Among 63 workers occupationally exposed to 50 Hz electromagnetic fields at transforming/distributing stations, an increased risk of electrocardiographic disturbances was reported compared with 42 non-exposed controls. Under exposure to electric fields observed in the stations, the risk was reported as increased by 10%.

Outcomes measured

• Electrocardiographic (ECG) disturbances
• Resting ECG findings
• 24-hour Holter monitoring findings

Limitations

• Exposure metrics (field intensities) are not reported in the abstract
• Study design details (randomization, blinding) are not described in the abstract despite publication type labels
• Potential confounding factors and adjustment methods are not described
• Outcome definitions and effect size/statistical uncertainty (e.g., confidence intervals, p-values) are not provided

Suggested hubs

• occupational-exposure (0.9)
  Study evaluates health outcomes in workers occupationally exposed to 50 Hz EMF at electrical transforming/distributing stations.

{
    "study_type": "other",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "ELF",
        "source": "occupational",
        "frequency_mhz": 0.05000000000000000277555756156289135105907917022705078125,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "2–43 years (median 15 ± 10)"
    },
    "population": "Workers at transforming and distributing (electrical power) stations; control group: workers of radio link stations",
    "sample_size": 105,
    "outcomes": [
        "Electrocardiographic (ECG) disturbances",
        "Resting ECG findings",
        "24-hour Holter monitoring findings"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Among 63 workers occupationally exposed to 50 Hz electromagnetic fields at transforming/distributing stations, an increased risk of electrocardiographic disturbances was reported compared with 42 non-exposed controls. Under exposure to electric fields observed in the stations, the risk was reported as increased by 10%.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Exposure metrics (field intensities) are not reported in the abstract",
        "Study design details (randomization, blinding) are not described in the abstract despite publication type labels",
        "Potential confounding factors and adjustment methods are not described",
        "Outcome definitions and effect size/statistical uncertainty (e.g., confidence intervals, p-values) are not provided"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "50 Hz",
        "ELF",
        "occupational exposure",
        "power stations",
        "transforming stations",
        "distributing stations",
        "electric fields",
        "magnetic fields",
        "ECG",
        "Holter monitoring",
        "circulatory system"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "occupational-exposure",
            "weight": 0.90000000000000002220446049250313080847263336181640625,
            "reason": "Study evaluates health outcomes in workers occupationally exposed to 50 Hz EMF at electrical transforming/distributing stations."
        }
    ]
}

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