Impact of exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields on blood pressure, heart rate

Int J Occup Saf Ergon · 2024 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 324

Among 85 industrial workers, ELF-MF exposure was reported during both working and sleeping times (0.19 ± 0.38 and 0.17 ± 0.23 μT; p < 0.05). Long-term exposure was associated with a significant difference in systolic blood pressure (125.61 ± 9.60 mm Hg; p < 0…

Study snapshot

PublicationInt J Occup Saf Ergon · 2024

Study typeother

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Impact of exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields on blood pressure, heart rate variation and disturbance to quality of sleep on industrial workers in Korea Amila Madhushanka Weerasinghe SDNAM, Liyanage S, Rajitha Kawshalya MAD, Hong SC. Impact of exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields on blood pressure, heart rate variation and disturbance to quality of sleep on industrial workers in Korea. Int J Occup Saf Ergon. 2024 Nov 23:1-8. doi: 10.1080/10803548.2024.2413816. Abstract Objectives: This study investigates the potential health risks associated with exposure to extremely low- frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MFs), focusing on the impact on sleep quality. The hypothesis is that increasing ELF-MF exposure will correlate with elevated blood pressure (BP), altered heart rate (HR) dynamics and poorer sleep quality among occupational workers in Korea. Methods: The study involved 85 participants. Assessment of ELF-MF exposure was carried out continuously for 24 h in the two groups. Measurements of BP parameters, HR and sleep quality were conducted accordingly. Results: The study found significant ELF-MF exposure levels in both working and sleeping times for industrial factory workers (0.19 ± 0.38 and 0.17 ± 0.23 μT, p < 0.05). Long-term exposure among industrial workers may contribute to a significant difference in systolic blood pressure (SBP) (125.61 ± 9.60 mm Hg, p < 0.05). Additionally, a significant difference in deep sleep analysis was observed between the high-exposure and low-exposure groups (67.13 ± 31.15 min, p < 0.05). Conclusion: The hypothesis was confirmed, indicating possible effects of high ELF-MF exposure on SBP and deep sleep. However, further research on long-term exposure and its association with sleep quality disturbances is needed for validation Open access paper: tandfonline.com

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeother

Effect directionharm

PopulationIndustrial workers in Korea

Sample size85

ExposureELF · continuous 24 h assessment

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

blood pressure (systolic blood pressure)
heart rate
sleep quality
deep sleep duration

Limitations

Study design not specified in abstract
Exposure frequency characteristics not reported (only field levels in μT)
Duration/definition of 'long-term exposure' not clearly defined in abstract
Other BP parameters and heart rate results not detailed in abstract
Potential confounding and adjustment methods not described

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "other",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "occupational",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "continuous 24 h assessment"
  },
  "population": "Industrial workers in Korea",
  "sample_size": 85,
  "outcomes": [
    "blood pressure (systolic blood pressure)",
    "heart rate",
    "sleep quality",
    "deep sleep duration"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Among 85 industrial workers, ELF-MF exposure was reported during both working and sleeping times (0.19 ± 0.38 and 0.17 ± 0.23 μT; p < 0.05). Long-term exposure was associated with a significant difference in systolic blood pressure (125.61 ± 9.60 mm Hg; p < 0.05) and a significant difference in deep sleep between high- and low-exposure groups (67.13 ± 31.15 min; p < 0.05).",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Study design not specified in abstract",
    "Exposure frequency characteristics not reported (only field levels in μT)",
    "Duration/definition of 'long-term exposure' not clearly defined in abstract",
    "Other BP parameters and heart rate results not detailed in abstract",
    "Potential confounding and adjustment methods not described"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "extremely low-frequency magnetic fields",
    "ELF-MF",
    "occupational exposure",
    "industrial workers",
    "blood pressure",
    "systolic blood pressure",
    "heart rate",
    "sleep quality",
    "deep sleep",
    "Korea"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Study evaluates ELF magnetic field exposure in industrial workers with 24 h monitoring and health outcomes."
    }
  ]
}

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

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1080/10803548.2024.2413816
PubMed: Not supplied

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