Study type: Medical/biological study (observational study)

Cardiovascular risk in operators under radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation med./bio.

By: Vangelova K, Deyanov C, Israel M
Published in: Int J Hyg Environ Health 2006; 209 (2): 133-138
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Aim of study (acc. to author)

To assess the long-term effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic irradiation on the cardiovascular system.

Background/further details

Two groups of exposed operators (49 broadcasting station and 61 TV station operators) and a control group of 110 radiorelay station operators were studied. Electromagnetic irradiation was assessed and the time-weighted average was calculated.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 6–25 MHz
Exposure duration: 20.7 ± 5.5 years (average length of service)
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Exposure 2: 66–900 MHz
Exposure duration: 18.6 ± 8.9 years (average length of service)
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Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 6–25 MHz
Type
Exposure duration 20.7 ± 5.5 years (average length of service)
Additional info broadcasting station
Modulation
Modulation type unspecified
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Additional info Investigated subjects worked at the broadcasting station and had the task of monitoring, controlling and registering the parameters of emissions of radiofrequency transmitters. Control subjects consisted of operators (average length of service 24.2 ± 9.6 years) from relay radio station who monitored and controlled input and output signals.
Parameters

No parameters are specified for this exposure.

Additional parameter details

Mean measured values of electric field intensities at the work site ranged from 333.73 (V/m)²h to 342.79 (V/m)²h (hour) and the maximum ranged from 1644 to 10336 (V/m)²h (duration of stay not more than 15 to 20 min). Mean and maximum time weighted averaged for each person at different sites and duration of stay were in the range of 3.1 to 3.96 µW/cm²h and 66.9 to 137 µW/cm²h, respectively.

Measurement and calculation details

Electric field intensities and magnetic flux densities were measured at typical constant and temporal work places

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 66–900 MHz
Type
Exposure duration 18.6 ± 8.9 years (average length of service)
Additional info TV station
Modulation
Modulation type unspecified
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Additional info Investigated subjects worked at the TV station and had the task as the subjects in E1. They were compared to the control group as described in E1.
Parameters

No parameters are specified for this exposure.

Additional parameter details

Mean measured values of electric field intensities at the work site ranged from 14.26 to 45.30 µW/cm²h and the maximum ranged from 15.37 to 125.75 µW/cm²h. Mean and maximum time weighted averaged for each person at different sites and duration of stay were in the range of 1.19 to 1.89 µW/cm²h and 1.28 to 5.24 µW/cm²h, respectively.

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Investigated organ system:
Time of investigation:
  • during exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The systolic and diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were significantly higher in the two exposed groups. It was revealed that the radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure was associated with greater chance of becoming hypertensive and dyslipidemic.
The regression analysis suggests the total cholesterol, age and waist/hip ratio as predictors for the high systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure and the systolic blood pressure and time-weighted average as predictors for high total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol.
The results show that the radiofrequency electromagnetic field irradiation contributes to adverse effects on the cardiovascular system.

Study character:

Study funded by

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