• experimental
  
• epidemiological
  

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Medical/biological Study (observational study)

A biomonitoring study of genotoxic risk to workers of transformers and distribution line stations. med./biol.

PubMed Entry

Journal web site

Aim of study (according to author)
A cytogenetic monitoring study was carried out on a group of workers (n=55; 32 technicians, ect. (workers inside of transformer) and 23 office workers (workers out of transformer)) from transformer and electrical substations in the Bursa province of Turkey, to investigate the genotoxic risk of occupational exposure to extremely low frequency electric fields and magnetic fields.
Background/further details:
17 controls were formed by working or retired people from different workforce, housewives and students.
Individuals of all groups completed a questionnaire including general information about age, gender, medical and occupational records, alcohol intake and smoking habits.

Endpoint

• genotoxicity/mutation: chromosome damages

Exposure
General category: electric field, magnetic field, 50/60 Hz (AC), power transmission line, electrical utility, occupational exposure

Field characteristics

Parameters

50 Hz exposure duration: 19 years +/- 7 years

electric field strength: 130 V/m min value (outside the station) electric field strength: 8310 V/m max value (outside the station) electric field strength: 300 V/m min value (inside the station) electric field strength: 15000 V/m max value (inside the station) magnetic field strength: 0.5 A/m min value (outside the station) magnetic field strength: 1.7 A/m max value (outside the station) magnetic field strength: 0.25 A/m min value (inside the station) magnetic field strength: 17 A/m max value (inside the station)

Exposed system:
human
whole body exposure

Methods
Endpoint/Measurement parameters/Methodology

• genotoxicity/mutation: chromosome damages (chromosome aberrations, cytokinesis block micronucleus assay)
• cell viability/cell division/proliferation: mitotic index, nuclear division index

Main outcome of study (according to author)
Chromosome aberrations and micronuclei frequencies in electrical workers appeared significantly higher than in control persons. The frequency of chromosome aberrations in exposed groups was significantly enhanced with the years of exposure. The effect of smoking on the level of chromosome aberrations and micronuclei was not significant in the control and exposure groups.
The data showed a significant induction of cytogenetic damage in peripheral lymphocytes of workers engaged to occupational exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields in electric transformer and distribution stations.

(Study character: medical/biological study, observational study, monitoring study)

Study funded by

• not stated

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