The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk of cytogenetic damage in lymphocytes of workers exposed to electromagnetic fields and mineral oil.
The exposure group including 24 employees in the high voltage laboratory and in the generator soldering department was compared to a control group consisting of 24 workers. Besides electric and magnetic fields, oil mist and vapor were measured. In addition to conventional lymphocyte cultures, the lymphocytes were also treated with hydroxyurea and caffeine. This treatment inhibits DNA synthesis and DNA repair in vitro, revealing in vivo genotoxic lesions that are repaired during conventional culturing and in this way remaining unconsidered.
Exposure | Parameters |
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Exposure 1:
60 Hz
short curcuit testing
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Exposure 2:
Exposure duration:
several hours
applied potential test
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Exposure 3:
Modulation type:
pulsed
Exposure duration:
12 - 25 single pulses
pulse testing
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Exposure 4:
11 kHz
Exposure duration:
2- 5 h/day for several days per week
generator soldering group
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|
three groups of test persons: i) transformer testers working in two high-voltage laboratories A and B ii) generator soldering group working in two high-voltage laboratories A and B ii) control group without EMF exposure
Exposure source |
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Measurand | Value | Type | Method | Mass | Remarks |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
magnetic flux density | 1.9 mT | - | - | - | 1 m from transformer, 45kA |
magnetic flux density | 7 mT | - | - | - | near the cables |
magnetic flux density | 5 µT | - | - | - | in the control room |
Frequency |
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Type | |
Exposure duration | several hours |
Additional info | applied potential test |
Exposure source |
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Measurand | Value | Type | Method | Mass | Remarks |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
magnetic flux density | 6 µT | - | - | - | - |
Modulation type | pulsed |
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Rise time | 1 µs |
Additional info |
half-value time 50µs |
Exposure source |
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Measurand | Value | Type | Method | Mass | Remarks |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
electric field strength | 3 kV/m | - | - | - | control room at plant A |
electric field strength | 700 V/m | - | - | - | control room at plant B |
electric field strength | 15 kV/m | - | - | - | test hall at plant A |
electric field strength | 2.3 kV/m | - | - | - | test hall at plant B |
magnetic flux density | 70 µT | - | - | - | test hall at plant A |
magnetic flux density | 3 µT | - | - | - | test hall at plant B |
Frequency | 11 kHz |
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Type | |
Exposure duration | 2- 5 h/day for several days per week |
Additional info | generator soldering group |
Measurand | Value | Type | Method | Mass | Remarks |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
magnetic flux density | 50 µT | - | measured | - | - |
electric field strength | 1.8 kV/m | - | measured | - | - |
An increased number of chromosome aberrations was observed among high voltage laboratory employees in DNA synthesis and DNA repair inhibited cultures compared to the control group, but not in conventional cultured lymphocytes. Further analysis of the inhibited culture data indicated that years of exposure and smoking increased the risk of chromosome aberrations.
No significant difference were found in the lymphocytes of workers in the generator soldering department.
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