Study type: Epidemiological study (observational study)

Sleep quality and general health status of employees exposed to extremely low frequency magnetic fields in a petrochemical complex epidem.

Published in: J Environ Health Sci Eng 2014; 12: 78

Aim of study (acc. to author)

A study was conducted to determine the possible association between the exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields and sleep quality and general health status of workers in substation units of a petrochemical complex in southern Iran.

Further details

The participants filled out the questionnaires Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and General Health Quality to assess sleep quality and health status (e.g., somatic symptoms, anxiety, insomnia, social dysfunction and severe depression).

Endpoint/type of risk estimation

Type of risk estimation:

Exposure

Assessment

Exposure groups

Group Description
Reference group 1 workers at control rooms and engineering rooms: not exposed
Group 2 workers at high voltage substations: exposed

Population

Study size

Type Value
Total 40
Statistical analysis method:

Results (acc. to author)

The highest measured magnetic flux density was 49.90 µT.
Overall, 5 out of 18 workers (28%) of the exposed group suffered from poor health status and 11 workers (61%) were diagnosed with a sleep disorder. All 22 members in control group were in good health condition and only 1 worker (4.5%) of them had undesirable sleep quality. However, no significant association was observed between occupational exposure level to extremely low frequency magnetic fields and sleep quality and general health condition of the workers of a petrochemical complex.

Limitations (acc. to author)

The results are based on a low sample size.

Study funded by

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