RF Safe

[High-frequency electromagnetic field exposure on reproductive and endocrine functions of female workers].

Zhonghua lao dong wei sheng zhi ye bing za zhi = Zhonghua laodong weisheng zhiyebing zazhi = Chinese journal of industrial hygiene and occupational diseases · 2008 · Mixed · Low evidence

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In a historical cohort comparison, the exposed group had higher incidence of menstrual disorder (33.8% and 26.8% vs 12.0% in controls; P<0.01) and higher menorrhagia in exposure I group (16.9% vs 8.0%; P<0.01). Serum progesterone (P4) was lower in exposed wor…

Study snapshot

PublicationZhonghua lao dong wei sheng zhi ye bing za zhi = Zhonghua laodong weisheng zhiyebing zazhi = Chinese journal of industrial hygiene and occupational diseases · 2008
Study typecohort
Reported directionMixed
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the toxicity of high-frequency electromagnetic field (HF-EMF) on the reproductive and endocrine functions of female workers. METHODS: 180 female workers exposed to HF-EMF for more than one year were selected as the exposure group, and 349 female workers in the marketplace were selected as the control group. Their menstrual status and pregnancy outcomes were evaluated with historical cohort study. Meanwhile, the serum levels of reproductive hormones including follicle stimulation hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E(2)) and progesterone (P(4)) from 30 workers respectively in the exposure group and the control group selected randomly (in periovulatory period) were detected with the radio immunoassays. RESULTS: With the increase of residue of HF-EMF, the incidence of menstrual disorder was increased (33.8% and 26.8% in the exposure group compared with 12.0% in the control group) (P < 0.01) and the incidence of menorrhagia in the exposure I group (16.9%) was significantly higher than that in the control group (8.0%) (P < 0.01). However, serum P(4) was significantly lower in the exposure group [(2.10 +/- 1.57) and (2.39 +/- 1.35) mg/L] than in the control group [(3.80 +/- 2.67) mg/L] (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in serum E(2), LH and FSH between the exposure and the control groups. CONCLUSION: Increase of the incidence of menstrual disorder as well as that of menorrhagia, and decrease of levels of some reproductive hormones are closely associated with HF-EMF (25 approximately 30 MHz).

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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 typecohort
Effect directionmixed
PopulationFemale workers
Sample size529
ExposureRF · more than one year
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In a historical cohort comparison, the exposed group had higher incidence of menstrual disorder (33.8% and 26.8% vs 12.0% in controls; P<0.01) and higher menorrhagia in exposure I group (16.9% vs 8.0%; P<0.01). Serum progesterone (P4) was lower in exposed workers than controls (P<0.01), while E2, LH, and FSH did not differ significantly; pregnancy outcomes were evaluated but specific results were not reported in the abstract.

Outcomes measured

  • Menstrual disorder
  • Menorrhagia
  • Pregnancy outcomes
  • Serum progesterone (P4)
  • Serum estradiol (E2)
  • Serum luteinizing hormone (LH)
  • Serum follicle stimulation hormone (FSH)

Limitations

  • Exposure metric described as 'residue of HF-EMF' without quantitative exposure levels in abstract
  • Hormone measurements performed on a small subsample (30 per group)
  • Pregnancy outcomes mentioned as evaluated but results not provided in abstract
  • Non-randomized observational design; potential confounding not described
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "cohort",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "occupational",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "more than one year"
  },
  "population": "Female workers",
  "sample_size": 529,
  "outcomes": [
    "Menstrual disorder",
    "Menorrhagia",
    "Pregnancy outcomes",
    "Serum progesterone (P4)",
    "Serum estradiol (E2)",
    "Serum luteinizing hormone (LH)",
    "Serum follicle stimulation hormone (FSH)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In a historical cohort comparison, the exposed group had higher incidence of menstrual disorder (33.8% and 26.8% vs 12.0% in controls; P<0.01) and higher menorrhagia in exposure I group (16.9% vs 8.0%; P<0.01). Serum progesterone (P4) was lower in exposed workers than controls (P<0.01), while E2, LH, and FSH did not differ significantly; pregnancy outcomes were evaluated but specific results were not reported in the abstract.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Exposure metric described as 'residue of HF-EMF' without quantitative exposure levels in abstract",
    "Hormone measurements performed on a small subsample (30 per group)",
    "Pregnancy outcomes mentioned as evaluated but results not provided in abstract",
    "Non-randomized observational design; potential confounding not described"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "high-frequency electromagnetic field",
    "HF-EMF",
    "occupational exposure",
    "female workers",
    "menstrual disorder",
    "menorrhagia",
    "progesterone",
    "reproductive hormones",
    "25-30 MHz"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Study compares female workers occupationally exposed to HF-EMF with workplace 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: Not supplied
PubMed: 18771615

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