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DNA effects of low level occupational exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (50/60 Hz)

2019 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 1793

Occupational ELF-MF exposure among utility workers was reported as below ACGIH TLV, with a median magnetic field of 0.85 µT at working sites. Compared with controls, exposed workers showed increased DNA damage, with significantly higher olive length, tail mom…

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2019
Study typecase_control
Reported directionHarm
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

DNA effects of low level occupational exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (50/60 Hz) Zendehdel R, Yu IJ, Hajipour-Verdom B, Panjali Z. DNA effects of low level occupational exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (50/60 Hz). Toxicol Ind Health. 2019 May 28:748233719851697. doi: 10.1177/0748233719851697. Abstract AIMS: Exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) occurs from natural and artificial sources. Although ELF-MF has been classified as a suspected humans carcinogen agent by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, little is known of the effects of ELF-MF at lower exposure levels of the recommended range. In the present study, DNA damage in the peripheral blood cells of power line workers was investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Occupational exposure to ELF-MF in a power plant was measured using the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) manual. Single-strand breaks (SSBs) in DNA were evaluated in 29 male utility workers as the exposed population and 28 male support personnel as the control subjects using the comet assay. Effects of ELF-MF on subjects were evaluated using DNA percent in tails, tail length, olive length, and tail moment. RESULTS: Occupational exposure levels to ELF-MF in the utility workers were less than the threshold limit values (TLV) recommended by the American Conference of Government Industrial Hygienist (ACGIH). The median value of the magnetic field at the working sites was 0.85 µT. Induction of DNA damage was observed for the exposed workers compared with the controls. Olive length, tail moment, and tail DNA percent increased significantly ( p < 0.05) in the utility workers. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to ELF-MF at levels less than the ACGIH exposure limit can produce DNA strand breaks. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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 typecase_control
Effect directionharm
Population29 male utility workers (exposed) and 28 male support personnel (controls) in a power plant setting
Sample size57
ExposureELF
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Occupational ELF-MF exposure among utility workers was reported as below ACGIH TLV, with a median magnetic field of 0.85 µT at working sites. Compared with controls, exposed workers showed increased DNA damage, with significantly higher olive length, tail moment, and tail DNA percent (p < 0.05).

Outcomes measured

  • DNA single-strand breaks (comet assay)
  • DNA percent in tail
  • tail length
  • olive length
  • tail moment

Limitations

  • Exposure duration not reported in abstract
  • Only male participants included
  • Small sample size
  • Observational design (case-control) limits causal inference
  • Exposure described as measured but detailed exposure metrics beyond median field not provided in abstract
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "case_control",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "occupational (power plant/power line workers)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "29 male utility workers (exposed) and 28 male support personnel (controls) in a power plant setting",
  "sample_size": 57,
  "outcomes": [
    "DNA single-strand breaks (comet assay)",
    "DNA percent in tail",
    "tail length",
    "olive length",
    "tail moment"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Occupational ELF-MF exposure among utility workers was reported as below ACGIH TLV, with a median magnetic field of 0.85 µT at working sites. Compared with controls, exposed workers showed increased DNA damage, with significantly higher olive length, tail moment, and tail DNA percent (p < 0.05).",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Exposure duration not reported in abstract",
    "Only male participants included",
    "Small sample size",
    "Observational design (case-control) limits causal inference",
    "Exposure described as measured but detailed exposure metrics beyond median field not provided in abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "extremely low frequency",
    "ELF-MF",
    "50/60 Hz",
    "occupational exposure",
    "power line workers",
    "utility workers",
    "power plant",
    "DNA damage",
    "single-strand breaks",
    "comet assay",
    "magnetic field",
    "ACGIH TLV",
    "NIOSH"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.95,
      "reason": "Study evaluates occupational ELF magnetic field exposure in utility/power plant workers and compares biomarkers with controls."
    }
  ]
}
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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: 10.1177/0748233719851697
PubMed: Not supplied

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