Differential impacts of co-exposures to ELF-EMFs and noise on prostate-specific antigen levels: A longitudinal study.

Abstract

Animal studies indicating an association of exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) and noise with reproductive dysfunctions. Nonetheless, the potential impacts of exposure to these hazardous agents on the human prostate gland remain unidentified. To assess the relationship between co-exposure to ELF-EMF and noise and the levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a longitudinal study was conducted over eight years among workers at a thermal power station from 2016 to 2024. The 8-h equivalent noise level (LAeq and LZeq; dB unit) and the 8-h average of ELF-EMFs (mG unit) were calculated to measure noise and ELF-EMF exposures, respectively. The changes in the levels of PSA were estimated by different linear regression models. In total, we examined data from 974 observations. Per 10-dB increment of LAeq, the significant increases in the log-transformed PSA levels were found in both unadjusted (Coefficient: 0.068 and 95 % CI: 0.044, 0.091) and adjusted (Coefficient: 0.040 and 95 % CI = 0.012, 0.069) models. This association remained significant after further adjusting for ELF-EMFs (no significant effect modification for ELF-EMFs). In all regression models, no significant changes were observed in the PSA levels per unit raise in the ELF-EMFs levels. No significant interaction was found between ELF-EMFs and noise. In conclusion, our findings indicate that noise may affect prostate health. Additional studies are needed to investigate the mechanisms involved and to validate this connection.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Across 974 observations, higher noise exposure (per 10-dB increase in LAeq) was associated with significant increases in log-transformed PSA in unadjusted and adjusted models, and remained significant after further adjusting for ELF-EMFs. ELF-EMF exposure (per unit increase) was not significantly associated with PSA in any model, and there was no significant interaction/effect modification between ELF-EMFs and noise.

Outcomes measured

• Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels (log-transformed)

Limitations

• Human prostate impacts of ELF-EMF and noise described as previously unidentified (limited prior human evidence implied)
• Mechanisms not investigated; authors call for additional studies to validate the connection

Suggested hubs

• occupational-exposure (0.9)
  Study population is workers at a thermal power station with measured 8-h average ELF-EMF and noise exposures.

{
    "study_type": "cohort",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "ELF",
        "source": "occupational",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "8-year longitudinal study (2016–2024); exposures assessed as 8-h equivalent noise level and 8-h average ELF-EMFs"
    },
    "population": "Workers at a thermal power station (2016–2024)",
    "sample_size": 974,
    "outcomes": [
        "Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels (log-transformed)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Across 974 observations, higher noise exposure (per 10-dB increase in LAeq) was associated with significant increases in log-transformed PSA in unadjusted and adjusted models, and remained significant after further adjusting for ELF-EMFs. ELF-EMF exposure (per unit increase) was not significantly associated with PSA in any model, and there was no significant interaction/effect modification between ELF-EMFs and noise.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "Human prostate impacts of ELF-EMF and noise described as previously unidentified (limited prior human evidence implied)",
        "Mechanisms not investigated; authors call for additional studies to validate the connection"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "moderate",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields",
        "ELF-EMF",
        "noise",
        "co-exposure",
        "occupational exposure",
        "thermal power station",
        "prostate-specific antigen",
        "PSA",
        "longitudinal study",
        "linear regression"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "occupational-exposure",
            "weight": 0.90000000000000002220446049250313080847263336181640625,
            "reason": "Study population is workers at a thermal power station with measured 8-h average ELF-EMF and noise exposures."
        }
    ]
}

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