Urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin excretion in humans during domestic exposure to 50 hertz electromagnetic fields.

Neuro endocrinology letters · 2005 · Unclear · Low evidence

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UnclearLow evidencePaper 5188

Study snapshot

PublicationNeuro endocrinology letters · 2005

Study typerandomized_trial

Reported directionUnclear

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) has been suggested to suppress melatonin secretion, which might result in higher cancer risks because of its missing oncostatic action. We investigated the effects of residential exposure to ELF-EMF on the excretion of urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin (6-OHMS), the major melatonin metabolite, as an indicator of nocturnal melatonin secretion. METHODS: 6-OHMS was measured in two spot urine samples, collected at 22.00 h and 08.00 h, in 29 men and 22 women. Spot ELF-EMF measurements were conducted at the centre and the four angles of the living room, the bedroom, and the kitchen of study subjects at low current configuration (all lights and appliances turned off), and they were repeated immediately at high current configuration (all lights and appliances turned on). RESULTS: Risk of a reduced 6-OMHS nocturnal secretion was elevated for daily alcohol intake (OR = 6.4; 95%C.I. 1.4,33.1), and body mass index (BMI) above the median (OR = 2.2; 95%C.I. 0.5,9.6). Risk of disrupted rhythm of 6-OHMS excretion was moderately elevated for domestic ELF-EMF exposure above the upper tertile at low current configuration (OR = 2.6; 95%C.I. 0.4,15.7). CONCLUSION: Alcohol consumption, BMI, and gender seem to affect nocturnal melatonin secretion, while an effect of residential exposure to ELF-EMF is uncertain. Future studies should properly account for the effect of such variables, when addressing the hypothesis of disturbances in melatonin secretion as a plausible explanation for the reported excess risk of several tumoral diseases associated with low level ELF-EMF exposure.

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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 typerandomized_trial

Effect directionunclear

Population29 men and 22 women (humans, residential setting)

Sample size51

ExposureELF

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Risk of disrupted rhythm of 6-OHMS excretion was moderately elevated for domestic ELF-EMF exposure above the upper tertile at low current configuration (OR 2.6; 95% CI 0.4–15.7). Alcohol intake (OR 6.4; 95% CI 1.4–33.1) and BMI above the median (OR 2.2; 95% CI 0.5–9.6) were associated with reduced nocturnal 6-OHMS secretion. The authors conclude that an effect of residential ELF-EMF exposure on melatonin secretion is uncertain.

Outcomes measured

Urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin (6-OHMS) excretion (22:00 and 08:00 spot urine samples)
Reduced nocturnal 6-OHMS secretion (risk/OR)
Disrupted rhythm of 6-OHMS excretion (risk/OR)

Limitations

Small sample size (n=51)
Wide confidence intervals for ELF-EMF association
Exposure assessment based on spot measurements in rooms under low/high current configurations (may not reflect longer-term exposure)
Outcome based on two spot urine samples (22:00 and 08:00)

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "randomized_trial",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "residential/domestic",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "29 men and 22 women (humans, residential setting)",
  "sample_size": 51,
  "outcomes": [
    "Urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin (6-OHMS) excretion (22:00 and 08:00 spot urine samples)",
    "Reduced nocturnal 6-OHMS secretion (risk/OR)",
    "Disrupted rhythm of 6-OHMS excretion (risk/OR)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Risk of disrupted rhythm of 6-OHMS excretion was moderately elevated for domestic ELF-EMF exposure above the upper tertile at low current configuration (OR 2.6; 95% CI 0.4–15.7). Alcohol intake (OR 6.4; 95% CI 1.4–33.1) and BMI above the median (OR 2.2; 95% CI 0.5–9.6) were associated with reduced nocturnal 6-OHMS secretion. The authors conclude that an effect of residential ELF-EMF exposure on melatonin secretion is uncertain.",
  "effect_direction": "unclear",
  "limitations": [
    "Small sample size (n=51)",
    "Wide confidence intervals for ELF-EMF association",
    "Exposure assessment based on spot measurements in rooms under low/high current configurations (may not reflect longer-term exposure)",
    "Outcome based on two spot urine samples (22:00 and 08:00)"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "extremely low frequency",
    "ELF-EMF",
    "50 Hz",
    "residential exposure",
    "domestic exposure",
    "melatonin",
    "6-sulfatoxymelatonin",
    "6-OHMS",
    "urine",
    "circadian rhythm"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.1,
      "reason": "Study concerns residential/domestic exposure rather than occupational; hub match is weak."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 15855885

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