Medical/biological study (observational study)

Cytogenetic Studies on Railway Engine Drivers Exposed to Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic Fields (ELF-EMF) med./bio.

By: Gadhia P, Chakraborty S, Pithawala M

Published in: Int J Hum Genet 2010; 10 (4): 263-269

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To investigate whether chromosomal damage occurrs in blood lymphocytes of railway engine drivers occupationally exposed to 50 Hz magnetic fields.

Background/further details

The blood of 15 exposed railway drivers and 15 guards (which were not exposed to electromagnetic fields according to the authors) as controls was collected. Age and socioeconomic status were similar in individuals from the exposure and the control group. For every individual, three blood vials were examined: 1) blood for chromosome aberration, 2) blood for chromosome aberration with 6 ng/ml mitomycin-C (to check for potential synergistic effects) and 3) blood for sister chromatid exchange.

Endpoint

genotoxicity/mutation: chromosomal damage

Exposure

- 50/60 Hz
- magnetic field
- occupational
- co-exposure

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 50 Hz Exposure duration: 9.2 hours (mean value per day with a mean empoyment of 21.06 years)	stated to be measured but no values given voltage of 25,000 V given

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	50 Hz
Type	electric field magnetic field
Exposure duration	9.2 hours (mean value per day with a mean empoyment of 21.06 years)

Exposure setup

Exposure source	electric train

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
magnetic flux density	-	-	measured	-	stated to be measured but no values given
cf. remarks	-	-	-	-	voltage of 25,000 V given

Exposed system:

human
whole body

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

genotoxicity/mutation: chromosomal damage: chromosome aberration (Giemsa staining, microscopy, counting of 100 metaphase plates, each containing not less than 44 chromosomes), sister chromatid exchange (5-bromodeoxyuridine, microscopy, counting of 30 second division metaphase plates as well as first and third metaphases to calculate the replicative index

Investigated system:

Time of investigation:

after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

No significant differences were seen in any examined parameters between lymphocytes of exposed individuals and those of the control group.
The authors conclude that the study does not indicate that occupational exposure to 50 Hz magnetic fields has a genotoxic effect in railway engine drivers nor that there is a synergistic effect of 50 Hz magnetic fields with mitomycin-C.

Study character:

medical/biological study
observational study
full/main study
blind study

Study funded by

not stated/no funding

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