Epidemiological study

Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields of High Voltage Overhead Power Lines and Female Infertility epidem.

By: Esmailzadeh S, Delavar MA, Aleyassin A, Gholamian SA, Ahmadi A

Published in: Int J Occup Environ Med 2019; 10 (1): 11-16

Aim of study (acc. to author)

A case-control study was conducted in Iran to investigate the association between residential distance to power lines and the risk of infertility among women.

Endpoint/type of risk estimation

reproductive effects and pregnancy outcomes: female infertility

Exposure

Assessment

calculation: distance between residence and nearby overhead power lines

Exposure groups

Group	Description
Reference group 1	distances between residence and power lines: > 1000 m
Group 2	distances between residence and power lines: 500 - 1000 m
Group 3	distances between residence and power lines: < 500 m

Population

Group:
- women
Age: 16–44 years
Observation period: 2014 - 2016
Study location: Iran (Babol)

Case group

Characteristics: women diagnosed with Infertility
Exclusion criteria: male infertility, abnormal anatomy and congenital uterine anomalies

Control group

Selection:
- population-based

Study size

	Cases	Controls
Total	475	471
Evaluable	462	471

Statistical analysis method:

logistic regression

(adjustment:

age
education
age at marriage, occupation, residence (rural or urban)

)

Results (acc. to author)

A total of 112 women (14.1%, 86 women of the infertile group und 26 women of the control group) lived within 500 meters from a high voltage power line.
Women living within 500 m of a power line (OR 4.44, CI 2.77 to 7.11) carried a significantly higher risk of infertility compared to women living more than 1000 m away.

Study funded by

Babol University of Medical Sciences, Iran

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