A cross-sectional study on oxidative stress in workers exposed to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields

Int J Radiat Biol · 2015 · No effect · Low evidence

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No effectLow evidencePaper 2717

In 310 ELF-EMF-exposed inspection workers versus 300 controls, no statistically significant differences were found in antioxidant enzyme activities (T-AOC, GPx, SOD) or MDA concentration. Genotoxicity indicators (micronucleus lymphocyte frequency and micronuc…

Study snapshot

PublicationInt J Radiat Biol · 2015

Study typecross_sectional

Reported directionNo effect

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate whether extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) exposure could induce oxidative stress in workers performing tour-inspection near transformers and distribution power lines. Materials and methods: Occupational short-term 'spot' measurements were performed. In total, 310 inspection workers exposed to ELF-EMF were selected as the exposure group and 300 logistical staff as the control group. Plasma total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity were tested by the colorimetric method. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was tested using the xanthine oxidase method. Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration was determined with a thiobarbituric acid assay. The micronucleus cell frequency (MCF) and Micronuclei frequency (MN) were also tested for genotoxic assessment. Results: No significant changes of enzyme activities or MDA concentration were found. Neither the frequency of micronucleus lymphocytes nor micronuclei frequency changes were statistically significant. Conclusion: Continual ELF-EMF exposure might not induce oxidative stress in workers from a power supply bureau.

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 typecross_sectional

Effect directionno_effect

PopulationWorkers performing tour-inspection near transformers and distribution power lines; controls were logistical staff

Sample size610

ExposureELF · short-term 'spot' measurements; continual occupational exposure implied

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Plasma total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC)
Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity
Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity
Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration
Micronucleus cell frequency (MCF)
Micronuclei frequency (MN)

Limitations

Cross-sectional design
Exposure assessment based on short-term 'spot' measurements

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "cross_sectional",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "occupational",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "short-term 'spot' measurements; continual occupational exposure implied"
  },
  "population": "Workers performing tour-inspection near transformers and distribution power lines; controls were logistical staff",
  "sample_size": 610,
  "outcomes": [
    "Plasma total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC)",
    "Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity",
    "Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity",
    "Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration",
    "Micronucleus cell frequency (MCF)",
    "Micronuclei frequency (MN)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In 310 ELF-EMF-exposed inspection workers versus 300 controls, no statistically significant differences were found in antioxidant enzyme activities (T-AOC, GPx, SOD) or MDA concentration. Genotoxicity indicators (micronucleus lymphocyte frequency and micronuclei frequency) also did not differ significantly.",
  "effect_direction": "no_effect",
  "limitations": [
    "Cross-sectional design",
    "Exposure assessment based on short-term 'spot' measurements"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "extremely low frequency",
    "ELF-EMF",
    "occupational exposure",
    "transformers",
    "distribution power lines",
    "oxidative stress",
    "T-AOC",
    "glutathione peroxidase",
    "superoxide dismutase",
    "malondialdehyde",
    "micronucleus"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Study evaluates ELF-EMF exposure in inspection workers near transformers/power lines."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.3109/09553002.2015.1012304
PubMed: 25651040

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