Study type: Medical/biological study (observational study)

A biomonitoring study of genotoxic risk to workers of transformers and distribution line stations med./bio.

Published in: Int J Environ Health Res 2009; 19 (6): 421-430

Aim of study (acc. to author)

A cytogenetic monitoring study was carried out on a group of workers (n=55; 32 technicians, ect. (workers inside of transformer) and 23 office workers (workers out of transformer)) from transformer and electrical substations in the Bursa province of Turkey, to investigate the genotoxic risk of occupational exposure to extremely low frequency electric fields and magnetic fields.

Background/further details

17 controls were formed by working or retired people from different workforce, housewives and students.
Individuals of all groups completed a questionnaire including general information about age, gender, medical and occupational records, alcohol intake and smoking habits.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: 19 years +/- 7 years

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Exposure duration 19 years +/- 7 years
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
electric field strength 130 V/m minimum measured - outside the station
electric field strength 8,310 V/m maximum measured - outside the station
electric field strength 300 V/m minimum measured - inside the station
electric field strength 15,000 V/m maximum measured - inside the station
magnetic field strength 0.5 A/m minimum measured - outside the station
magnetic field strength 1.7 A/m maximum measured - outside the station
magnetic field strength 0.25 A/m minimum measured - inside the station
magnetic field strength 17 A/m maximum measured - inside the station

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

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

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Chromosome aberrations and micronuclei frequencies in electrical workers appeared significantly higher than in control persons. The frequency of chromosome aberrations in exposed groups was significantly enhanced with the years of exposure. The effect of smoking on the level of chromosome aberrations and micronuclei was not significant in the control and exposure groups.
The data showed a significant induction of cytogenetic damage in peripheral lymphocytes of workers engaged to occupational exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields in electric transformer and distribution stations.

Study character:

Study funded by

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