Epidemiological study (observational study)

Everyday exposure to power frequency magnetic fields and associations with non-specific physical symptoms epidem.

By: Bolte JF, Baliatsas C, Eikelboom T, van Kamp I

Published in: Environ Pollut 2014; 196: 224-229

Aim of study (acc. to author)

A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Netherlands to investigate the association between exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF MF) and non-specific physical symptoms.

Further details

Non-specific physical symptoms were assessed by the Somatization scale of the Four-Dimensional Symptom Questionnaire (4DSQ) consisting of 16 items experienced in the past week with a maximum score of 32. The scores were divided into following clinically relevant severity classes: low (0-10), moderately high (11-20) and very high (21-32).

Endpoint/type of risk estimation

symptoms of discomfort: non-specific physical symptoms: pain in the chest, pressure in the chest, tingling in the fingers, pain in abdomen, nausea, shortness of breath, blurred vision, bloated feeling in abdomen, headache, palpitations, excessive perspiration, back pain, neck pain, fainting, painful muscles, dizziness

Type of risk estimation:

prevalence

(odds ratio (OR))

Exposure

- 50/60 Hz
- magnetic field
- personal

Assessment

questionnaire: usage and possession of phones, electric devices, household equipment
dosimeter: 24-h measurement with an dosimeter worn in a pouch attached to the belt and put next to bed during sleep

Exposure groups

Group	Description
Reference group 1	arithmetic mean of magnetic flux density: ≤ 0.09 µT (80th percentile)
Group 2	arithmetic mean of magnetic flux density: > 0.09 µT (80th percentile)

Population

Group:
- men
- women
Age: 18–81 years
Observation period: 2009 - 2010
Study location: The Netherlands (region of Amsterdam)
Data source: TNS-Nipo internet panel

Study size

Type	Value
Participants	100
Evaluable	99

Statistical analysis method:

logistic regression

Results (acc. to author)

The arithmetic mean of the time-weighted average 24 h personal exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields over 99 participants is 0.13 µT.
As only one man scored moderately high on the somatization scale against nine women, the analyses were restricted to the 48 women. The odds ratio for women was 8.50 (CI 1.73-46.75), suggesting that for women the exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields is associated with an increased score on non-specific physical symptoms. No conclusions regarding causality can be drawn as this is an exploratory cross-sectional study in a relatively small sample.

Study funded by

ZonMw, The Netherlands

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