• experimental
  
• epidemiological
  

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Medical/biological Study (observational study)

Chromosomal aberrations in lymphocytes of employees in transformer and generator production exposed to electromagnetic fields and mineral oil. med./biol.

PubMed Entry

Journal web site

Aim of study (according to author)
The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk of cytogenetic damage in lymphocytes of workers exposed to electromagnetic fields and mineral oil.
Background/further details:
The exposure group including 24 employees in the high voltage laboratory and in the generator soldering department was compared to a control group consisting of 24 workers. Besides electric and magnetic fields, oil mist and vapor were measured. In addition to conventional lymphocyte cultures, the lymphocytes were also treated with hydroxyurea and caffeine. This treatment inhibits DNA synthesis and DNA repair in vitro, revealing in vivo genotoxic lesions that are repaired during conventional culturing and in this way remaining unconsidered.

Endpoint

• genotoxicity/mutation: chromosome aberrations

Exposure
General category: electric field, magnetic field, 50/60 Hz (AC), high-voltage direct current (HVDC), occupational exposure

Field characteristics	Parameters
field 1: 60 Hz short curcuit testing exposure duration: 5 min - 1 h; once a week at Plant A; once a month at Plant B	magnetic flux density: 1.9 mT (1 m from transformer, 45kA) magnetic flux density: 7 mT (near the cables) magnetic flux density: 5 µT (in the control room)
field 2: frequency not specified applied potential test exposure duration: several hours	magnetic flux density: 6 µT
field 3: frequency not specified pulsed (PW) pulse testing exposure duration: 12 - 25 single pulses	electric field strength: 3 kV/m (control room at plant A) electric field strength: 700 V/m (control room at plant B) electric field strength: 15 kV/m (test hall at plant A) electric field strength: 2.3 kV/m (test hall at plant B) magnetic flux density: 70 µT (test hall at plant A) magnetic flux density: 3 µT (test hall at plant B)
field 4: 11 kHz generator soldering group exposure duration: 2- 5 h/day for several days per week	magnetic flux density: 50 µT electric field strength: 1.8 kV/m

Exposed system:
human
whole body exposure

Methods
Endpoint/Measurement parameters/Methodology

• genotoxicity/mutation: chromosome aberrations (chromosome/chromatid breaks, number of cells with aberrations)

Main outcome of study (according to author)
An increased number of chromosome aberrations was observed among high voltage laboratory employees in DNA synthesis and DNA repair inhibited cultures compared to the control group, but not in conventional cultured lymphocytes. Further analysis of the inhibited culture data indicated that years of exposure and smoking increased the risk of chromosome aberrations.
No significant difference were found in the lymphocytes of workers in the generator soldering department.

(Study character: medical/biological study, observational study, full/main study, cross-sectional study)

Study funded by

• Work Environment Fund of the Confederation of Norwegian Business and Industry
• Norwegian Cancer Society (NCS), Norway

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