Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study, observational study)

Influence of 50 Hz electric and magnetic fields on the human heart med./bio.

Published in: Bioelectromagnetics 1993; 14 (4): 329-340

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To investigate possible increase in extrasystoles of workers when they are exposed to strong 50 Hz electromagnetic fields in their real-life working enviroment.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: 30 min
Exposure 2: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: 30 min
Exposure 3: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: 30 min
Exposure 4: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: 30 min

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration 30 min
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Setup Male volunteers walked 1 km along the road under the transmission line.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
electric field strength 16.5 V/cm minimum measured - -
electric field strength 1.72 kV/m mean measured - -
electric field strength 1.75 kV/m maximum measured - -
magnetic flux density 1.1 µT minimum measured - -
magnetic flux density 157 µT mean measured - -
magnetic flux density 1.85 µT maximum measured - -

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration 30 min
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Setup Male volunteers walked 1 km along the road under the transmission line.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
electric field strength 442 V/m minimum measured - -
electric field strength 4.6 kV/m mean measured - -
electric field strength 4.9 kV/m maximum measured - -
magnetic flux density 4.2 µT minimum measured - -
magnetic flux density 5.8 µT mean measured - -
magnetic flux density 7.07 µT maximum measured - -

Exposure 3

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration 30 min
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Setup Male volunteers walked 1 km along the road under the transmission line.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
electric field strength 27 V/cm minimum measured - -
electric field strength 3.05 kV/m mean measured - -
electric field strength 3.15 kV/m maximum measured - -
magnetic flux density 1.56 µT minimum measured - -
magnetic flux density 3.04 µT mean measured - -
magnetic flux density 4.49 µT maximum measured - -

Exposure 4

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration 30 min
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Setup Transmission line workers walked 1 km along the road under the transmission line.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
electric field strength 140 V/m minimum measured - -
electric field strength 3.44 kV/m mean measured - -
electric field strength 10.21 kV/m maximum measured - -
magnetic flux density 1.02 µT minimum measured - -
magnetic flux density 4.87 µT mean measured - -
magnetic flux density 15.53 µT maximum measured - -

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

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

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Analysis of ECG recordings showed that extrasystoles or arrhythmias were as frequent outside the field as in the field. In some cases a small decrease in heart rate was observed after field exposure.

Study character:

Study funded by

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