DNA effects of low level occupational exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (50/60 Hz)

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 424-430 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rezvan Zendehdel ◽  
Il Je Yu ◽  
Behnam Hajipour-Verdom ◽  
Zahra Panjali
Keyword(s):  
Dna Damage ◽  
Occupational Exposure ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
International Agency ◽  
Tail Moment ◽  
Limit Values ◽  
Strand Breaks ◽  
Extremely Low Frequency ◽  
Exposed Population ◽  
Exposure Levels

Aims: Exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) occurs from natural and artificial sources. Although ELF-MF has been classified as a suspected humans carcinogen agent by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, little is known of the effects of ELF-MF at lower exposure levels of the recommended range. In the present study, DNA damage in the peripheral blood cells of power line workers was investigated. Materials and Methods: Occupational exposure to ELF-MF in a power plant was measured using the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) manual. Single-strand breaks (SSBs) in DNA were evaluated in 29 male utility workers as the exposed population and 28 male support personnel as the control subjects using the comet assay. Effects of ELF-MF on subjects were evaluated using DNA percent in tails, tail length, olive length, and tail moment. Results: Occupational exposure levels to ELF-MF in the utility workers were less than the threshold limit values (TLV) recommended by the American Conference of Government Industrial Hygienist (ACGIH). The median value of the magnetic field at the working sites was 0.85 µT. Induction of DNA damage was observed for the exposed workers compared with the controls. Olive length, tail moment, and tail DNA percent increased significantly ( p < 0.05) in the utility workers. Conclusions: Exposure to ELF-MF at levels less than the ACGIH exposure limit can produce DNA strand breaks.

scholarly journals Assessment of Potential Health Risks of Portuguese Wildland Firefighters’ Occupational Exposure: Biomonitoring Approach

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Filipa Esteves ◽  
Joana Madureira ◽  
João Paulo Teixeira ◽  
Solange Costa
Keyword(s):  
Dna Damage ◽  
Occupational Exposure ◽  
Forest Fires ◽  
Oxidative Dna Damage ◽  
Personal Exposure ◽  
International Agency ◽  
Early Effect ◽  
Toxic Compounds ◽  
Exposure Levels ◽  
Risk Of Cancer

Introduction:Worldwide, forest fires are among the most common forms of natural disasters. In the closing years of the last century there was an increase of the burned area in some parts of the globe, including in Europe. Portugal has been particularly affected by large forest fires and megafires, which have been occurred mainly in the central and northern regions. The proximity of firefighters to fire exposes them to high levels of toxic compounds making this occupation one of the most dangerous and leading International Agency for Research on Cancer to classified occupational firefighting activity as possibly carcinogenic to humans. Up to date, the existing studies are mainly focused on environmental monitoring, existing limited information regarding biomonitoring assessments during real scenarios of wildland fires combat. This study aims to evaluate the impact of firefighting occupational exposure at molecular and cellular levels, considering personal exposure levels. Early-effect biomarkers (e.g., micronucleus, DNA strand breaks and oxidative DNA damage) will be analyzed in order to understand the mechanisms of action through which woodsmoke may impact firefighters’ health, including the risk of cancer. Methodology:This ongoing prospective longitudinal study will comprise three different stages, specifically pre-exposure, exposure, and post-exposure to fire season. Around 200 wildland northern Portuguese firefighters will be involved in this study. Characterization of the study population will be conducted via questionnaires. Firefighters’ personal exposurelevels will be assessed by means of metabolites in exhaled breath, using an artificial olfactory system (e-nose technology). Buccal and urine samples will be used to measure genomic instability through micronucleus test in buccal epithelial cells and urothelial cells. DNA damage and oxidative DNA damage will be evaluated in peripheral blood lymphocytes using the comet assay. Statistical analysis will be performed to determine the relationship between personal exposure levels to toxic compounds and the early-effect biomarkers over the three different phases of the study. Expected results: The obtained results will support a more accurate and comprehensive assessment of occupational risks among wildland firefighters, crucial to prevent/reduce the associated health impacts. This work will contribute tothe establishment of recommendations/good practices to improve firefighters’ working conditions, allowing better definitions of policies and prevention strategies highly needed in this sector.

Occupational Exposure to Electric Shocks and Extremely Low-Frequency Magnetic Fields and Motor Neurone Disease

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grace X Chen ◽  
Andrea’t Mannetje ◽  
Jeroen Douwes ◽  
Leonard H Berg ◽  
Neil Pearce ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Exposure ◽  
Magnetic Fields ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Motor Neurone ◽  
Motor Neurone Disease ◽  
Cumulative Exposure ◽  
Spine Injury ◽  
Extremely Low Frequency ◽  
Electric Shocks

Abstract In a New Zealand population-based case-control study we assessed associations with occupational exposure to electric shocks, extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) and motor neurone disease using job-exposure matrices to assess exposure. Participants were recruited between 2013 and 2016. Associations with ever/never, duration, and cumulative exposure were assessed using logistic regression adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, education, smoking, alcohol consumption, sports, head or spine injury and solvents, and mutually adjusted for the other exposure. All analyses were repeated stratified by sex. An elevated risk was observed for having ever worked in a job with potential for electric shocks (odds ratio (OR)=1.35, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.98, 1.86), with the strongest association for the highest level of exposure (OR=2.01, 95%CI: 1.31, 3.09). Analysis by duration suggested a non-linear association: risk was increased for both short-duration (&lt;3 years) (OR= 4.69, 95%CI: 2.25, 9.77) and long-duration in a job with high level of electric shock exposure (&gt;24 years; OR=1.88; 95%CI: 1.05, 3.36), with less pronounced associations for intermediate durations. No association with ELF-MF was found. Our findings provide support for an association between occupational exposure to electric shocks and motor neurone disease but did not show associations with exposure to work-related ELF-MF.

scholarly journals O4A.6 Occupational exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields and melatonin in male rotating shift workers

2019 ◽  
Vol 76 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. A33.3-A33
Author(s):  
Michelle C Turner ◽  
Esther Gracia-Lavedan ◽  
Gemma Castaño-Vinyals ◽  
Debra J Skene ◽  
Benita Middleton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Exposure ◽  
Magnetic Fields ◽  
Geometric Mean ◽  
Night Shift ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Personal Characteristics ◽  
Peak Time ◽  
Shift Workers ◽  
Extremely Low Frequency ◽  
Melatonin Production

BackgroundOccupational exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) is a suspected cancer risk factor, however, the epidemiological literature is limited and potential biological mechanisms unclear. Night shift work and associated circadian misalignment, leading to decreased melatonin production is also suspected in cancer. It has been suggested that ELF-MF exposure may decrease melatonin production leading to the promotion of cancer development, however previous findings are inconsistent. We assessed ELF-MF exposure and melatonin production in a recent study of male rotating shift workers.MethodsA total of 50 male shift workers rotating in a 3 week night, 3 week evening, and 3 week morning schedule were recruited at a local car manufacturing facility. Personal full-shift measurements of ELF-MF exposure were performed (EMDEX II, 40–800 Hz) and urine samples from all voids over 24 hour collected on two working days (end of 3 week night and end of 3 week morning shifts). Urinary concentrations of 6-sulfatoxymelatonin (aMT6s), the main melatonin metabolite, were measured in all samples (creatinine corrected), with the mesor (24 hour mean) derived based on cosinor models.ResultsArithmetic mean (AM (SD)) and geometric mean (GM (GSD)) ELF-MF levels were 0.05 (0.06) µT and 0.03 (0.02) µT, respectively. Peak production of aMT6s occurred 9 hours later in night compared with morning shifts, though with a similar mesor indicating adaptation. The adjusted mesor varied somewhat by age group and other personal characteristics, and was somewhat lower among those with higher AM and GM ELF-MF levels (i.e. ≥50 th or 75th percentile), with differences ranging from 0.94–1.38 ng/mg creatinine/hour in the morning to 0.96–4.33 in the night shift observed, with some differences significant.ConclusionsOverall, small differences in mean aMT6s levels were observed according to ELF-MF. Workers during the night shift adapted, showing a delay in the peak time of aMT6s production compared to the day shift.

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