Epidemiological study (observational study)

Cardiovascular risk under electromagnetic exposure epidem.

By: Israel M, Vangelova K, Ivanova M

Published in: Environmentalist 2007; 27 (4): 539-543

A case-control study was conducted in Bulgaria to investigate long-term effects of electromagnetic fields on the cardiovascular system of medical staff in physiotherapy.

The electromagnetic field exposure (50 Hz, 150 kHz, 27.12 MHz, 2.45 GHz and optical radiation) was assessed from physiotherapy devices. The relative values of electromagnetic radiation for the whole frequency range in each physiotherapy were calculated and the obtained quota was much larger than 1 in comparison to the reference values. Individual assessment of electromagnetic field exposure was based on number of physiotherapy devices, calculated values of exposure per device/per one person, number of patients, and acutal configuration of the ward.

calculation: based on number of physiotherapy devices, calculated values of exposure per device per one person, number of patients and acutal configuration of the ward

Group	Description
Reference group 1	personnel without any electromagnetic field exposure
Group 2	physiotherapists working with electromagnetic fields emitting devices

Characteristics: physiotherapists working with electromagnetic fields emitting devices

personnel of the same hospital, with similar job characteristics, but without any electromagnetic field exposure
Matching:
- sex
- age
- shift work schedules
- case:control = 1:1

	Cases	Controls
Eligible	52	52

Statistical analysis method:

The total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were significantly increased in the exposed group compared to the unexposed group. No significant differences were found for blood pressure or BMI. The data showed higher risk for becoming dyslipidemic for physiotherapists working with electromagnetic fields emitting devices.
The authors concluded that the electromagnetic field exposure of medical staff in physiotherapy could be associated with adverse effects on the cardiovascular system.

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