A cross-sectional study on oxidative stress in workers exposed to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields

PAPER manual Int J Radiat Biol 2015 Cross-sectional study Effect: no_effect Evidence: Low

Read original paper → DOI: 10.3109/09553002.2015.1012304 PMID: 25651040 Evidence Lab

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate whether extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) exposure could induce oxidative stress in workers performing tour-inspection near transformers and distribution power lines. Materials and methods: Occupational short-term 'spot' measurements were performed. In total, 310 inspection workers exposed to ELF-EMF were selected as the exposure group and 300 logistical staff as the control group. Plasma total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity were tested by the colorimetric method. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was tested using the xanthine oxidase method. Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration was determined with a thiobarbituric acid assay. The micronucleus cell frequency (MCF) and Micronuclei frequency (MN) were also tested for genotoxic assessment. Results: No significant changes of enzyme activities or MDA concentration were found. Neither the frequency of micronucleus lymphocytes nor micronuclei frequency changes were statistically significant. Conclusion: Continual ELF-EMF exposure might not induce oxidative stress in workers from a power supply bureau.

AI evidence extraction

At a glance

Study type

Cross-sectional study

Effect direction

no_effect

Population

Workers performing tour-inspection near transformers and distribution power lines; controls were logistical staff

Sample size

610

Exposure

ELF occupational · short-term 'spot' measurements; continual occupational exposure implied

Evidence strength

Low

Confidence: 78% · Peer-reviewed: yes

Main findings

In 310 ELF-EMF-exposed inspection workers versus 300 controls, no statistically significant differences were found in antioxidant enzyme activities (T-AOC, GPx, SOD) or MDA concentration. Genotoxicity indicators (micronucleus lymphocyte frequency and micronuclei frequency) also did not differ significantly.

Outcomes measured

Plasma total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC)
Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity
Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity
Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration
Micronucleus cell frequency (MCF)
Micronuclei frequency (MN)

Limitations

Cross-sectional design
Exposure assessment based on short-term 'spot' measurements

Suggested hubs

occupational-exposure (0.9)
Study evaluates ELF-EMF exposure in inspection workers near transformers/power lines.

View raw extracted JSON

{
    "study_type": "cross_sectional",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "ELF",
        "source": "occupational",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "short-term 'spot' measurements; continual occupational exposure implied"
    },
    "population": "Workers performing tour-inspection near transformers and distribution power lines; controls were logistical staff",
    "sample_size": 610,
    "outcomes": [
        "Plasma total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC)",
        "Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity",
        "Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity",
        "Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration",
        "Micronucleus cell frequency (MCF)",
        "Micronuclei frequency (MN)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "In 310 ELF-EMF-exposed inspection workers versus 300 controls, no statistically significant differences were found in antioxidant enzyme activities (T-AOC, GPx, SOD) or MDA concentration. Genotoxicity indicators (micronucleus lymphocyte frequency and micronuclei frequency) also did not differ significantly.",
    "effect_direction": "no_effect",
    "limitations": [
        "Cross-sectional design",
        "Exposure assessment based on short-term 'spot' measurements"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "extremely low frequency",
        "ELF-EMF",
        "occupational exposure",
        "transformers",
        "distribution power lines",
        "oxidative stress",
        "T-AOC",
        "glutathione peroxidase",
        "superoxide dismutase",
        "malondialdehyde",
        "micronucleus"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "occupational-exposure",
            "weight": 0.90000000000000002220446049250313080847263336181640625,
            "reason": "Study evaluates ELF-EMF exposure in inspection workers near transformers/power lines."
        }
    ]
}

AI can be wrong. Always verify against the paper.

AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract/metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice.

Comments

No comments yet.