Impact of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields exposure on sleep quality and mental health in a Tunisian power plant: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction: Extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) are ubiquitous in our daily life. They may have an impact not only on physical health but also on mental health. Objectives: To assess the impact of occupational exposure to the ELF-EMFs on sleep quality, depression, anxiety and stress among workers at the Tunisian Electricity and Gas Company (TEGC). Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. The study population included two groups: an exposed group (EG), consisting of power plant employees, and a non-exposed group (NEG), consisting of administrative workers. Exposure to ELF-EMFs was assessed via spot measurements using a magnetometer. Sleep quality, depression, anxiety and stress were assessed by the French versions of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Results: Seventy-seven participants in the EG and 88 participants in the NEG were included in the study. The median value of the ELF-EMFs was 5.86 μT at the power plant [min 0.1, max 40.34 μT]. According to the PSQI global score, 64.9% of the EG had poor sleep quality versus 29.5% of the NEG. Depression was registered in 24.7% of EG and in 3.4% of NEG. Anxiety was noted in 23.4% of the EG and in none of the NEG. Stress was found in 46.8% of the EG and none of the NEG. After multivariate analysis, ELF-EMF exposure was significantly associated with poor sleep quality and depression. Conclusion: The present study revealed that ELF-EMFs can affect sleep and mental health. Further studies are needed to explain the mechanism involved.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

In this cross-sectional study of 77 exposed power plant employees and 88 non-exposed administrative workers, the median ELF-EMF level at the power plant was 5.86 μT (range 0.1-40.34 μT). Poor sleep quality, depression, anxiety, and stress were more frequent in the exposed group, and multivariate analysis found ELF-EMF exposure was significantly associated with poor sleep quality and depression.

Outcomes measured

• sleep quality
• depression
• anxiety
• stress

Limitations

• Cross-sectional study design
• Exposure assessed via spot measurements

Suggested hubs

• occupational-exposure (0.98)
  Study assesses occupational ELF-EMF exposure among power plant workers.

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    "exposure": {
        "band": "ELF",
        "source": "occupational",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": null
    },
    "population": "Workers at the Tunisian Electricity and Gas Company, including power plant employees and administrative workers",
    "sample_size": 165,
    "outcomes": [
        "sleep quality",
        "depression",
        "anxiety",
        "stress"
    ],
    "main_findings": "In this cross-sectional study of 77 exposed power plant employees and 88 non-exposed administrative workers, the median ELF-EMF level at the power plant was 5.86 μT (range 0.1-40.34 μT). Poor sleep quality, depression, anxiety, and stress were more frequent in the exposed group, and multivariate analysis found ELF-EMF exposure was significantly associated with poor sleep quality and depression.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Cross-sectional study design",
        "Exposure assessed via spot measurements"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.95999999999999996447286321199499070644378662109375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "ELF-EMF",
        "extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields",
        "occupational exposure",
        "power plant",
        "sleep quality",
        "depression",
        "anxiety",
        "stress",
        "PSQI",
        "DASS-21",
        "Tunisia"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "occupational-exposure",
            "weight": 0.979999999999999982236431605997495353221893310546875,
            "reason": "Study assesses occupational ELF-EMF exposure among power plant workers."
        }
    ]
}

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