Study of Human Neurovegetative and Hematologic Effects of Environmental Low-Frequency (50-Hz) Electromagnetic Fields Produced by Transformers

• Published in: Archives of environmental health Vol. 53; no. 2; pp. 87 - 92
• Main Authors: Bonhomme-Faivre, Laurence, Marion, Sylvie, Bezie, Yvonnick, Auclair, Huguette, Fredj, Gilles, Hommeau, Chantal
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC Taylor & Francis Group 01.03.1998; Heldref
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; CD4 Lymphocyte Count - radiation effects; Depression - etiology; Effects of various physical factors on living matter (vibrations, electric field, ultrasound, sound...); Electric Power Supplies; Electricity; Electromagnetic Fields - adverse effects; Environmental Monitoring; Fatigue - etiology; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Immunity, Cellular - radiation effects; Killer Cells, Natural - radiation effects; Leukocyte Count - radiation effects; Leukopenia - etiology; Libido - radiation effects; Male; Neutropenia - etiology; Neutrophils - radiation effects; Power Plants; Tissues, organs and organisms biophysics; France; Europe; Human; Electric transformer; Mood disorder; Immunopathology; Nervous system diseases; Toxicity; Electromagnetic field; Occupational exposure; Low frequency; Epidemiology; Occupational medicine
• ISSN: 0003-9896
• DOI: 10.1080/00039896.1998.10545968

A survey of neurovegetative and hematologic disorders was conducted in a population (n = 13) exposed occupationally to environmental electromagnetic fields; the population was matched with 13 control subjects. The exposed subjects worked at least 8 h/d for 1-5 y in premises located above transformers and high-tension cables, and the subjects were submitted to low-frequency electromagnetic fields (i.e., 50 Hz) of 0.2 μT-6.6 μT. The subjects were matched with respect to socioeconomic category, sex, and age with a control population of subjects that worked in premises outside of the immediate vicinity of transformers or high-tension cables. The exposed population had a significant increase in degree of certain neurovegetative disorders (i.e., physical fatigue, psychical asthenia, lipothymia, decreased libido, melancholy, depressive tendency, and irritability). In addition, the population experienced a significant fall in total lymphocytes and CD4, CD3, and CD2 lymphocytes, as well as a rise in NK cells. Leukopenia and neutropenia were also observed in two persons permanently exposed to doses of 1.2-6.6 μT. The disorders disappeared when exposure stopped, and they reappeared on reexposure.