Time-dependent hematological changes in workers exposed to electromagnetic fields.

PAPER pubmed American Industrial Hygiene Association journal 1995 Other Effect: mixed Evidence: Very low

Read original paper → DOI: 10.1080/15428119591017231 PMID: 7856519 Evidence Lab

Abstract

A World War II-era study, involving the effects of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) emanating from radars and high-frequency radios on the blood of exposed workers, was analyzed for evidence of the effect of time in the manifestation of changes in the hematological system. Statistically significant correlations between increasing white blood cell count and average daily exposure, months of exposure, and total duration of exposure to EMFs were found. Changes in cell count were within the normal range, and thus their relation to epidemiological studies linking EMFs and leukemia, if any, is unclear. Results suggest that the time of exposure may be an additional factor (along with field strength, and perhaps frequency) in ascertaining the safety of EMF exposure.

AI evidence extraction

At a glance

Study type

Other

Effect direction

mixed

Population

workers exposed to EMFs (World War II-era)

Sample size

—

Exposure

radars and high-frequency radios (occupational) · average daily exposure; months of exposure; total duration of exposure

Evidence strength

Very low

Confidence: 66% · Peer-reviewed: yes

Main findings

In analysis of a World War II-era worker study, statistically significant correlations were reported between increasing white blood cell count and average daily exposure, months of exposure, and total duration of EMF exposure from radars and high-frequency radios. Reported cell count changes were within the normal range, and the relation to epidemiological studies linking EMFs and leukemia was described as unclear.

Outcomes measured

white blood cell count
hematological system changes

Limitations

Study described as a World War II-era study analyzed retrospectively (details of original design not provided in abstract)
Sample size not reported in abstract
Exposure metrics (field strength/frequency) not quantified in abstract
Clinical significance unclear because changes were within normal range
Relevance to leukemia risk described as unclear

Suggested hubs

occupational-exposure (0.9)
Study concerns workers exposed to EMFs from radars and high-frequency radios.

View raw extracted JSON

{
    "study_type": "other",
    "exposure": {
        "band": null,
        "source": "radars and high-frequency radios (occupational)",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "average daily exposure; months of exposure; total duration of exposure"
    },
    "population": "workers exposed to EMFs (World War II-era)",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "white blood cell count",
        "hematological system changes"
    ],
    "main_findings": "In analysis of a World War II-era worker study, statistically significant correlations were reported between increasing white blood cell count and average daily exposure, months of exposure, and total duration of EMF exposure from radars and high-frequency radios. Reported cell count changes were within the normal range, and the relation to epidemiological studies linking EMFs and leukemia was described as unclear.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "Study described as a World War II-era study analyzed retrospectively (details of original design not provided in abstract)",
        "Sample size not reported in abstract",
        "Exposure metrics (field strength/frequency) not quantified in abstract",
        "Clinical significance unclear because changes were within normal range",
        "Relevance to leukemia risk described as unclear"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "very_low",
    "confidence": 0.66000000000000003108624468950438313186168670654296875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "electromagnetic fields",
        "radar",
        "high-frequency radios",
        "occupational exposure",
        "hematology",
        "white blood cell count",
        "exposure duration",
        "time-dependent changes"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "occupational-exposure",
            "weight": 0.90000000000000002220446049250313080847263336181640625,
            "reason": "Study concerns workers exposed to EMFs from radars and high-frequency radios."
        }
    ]
}

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.

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