Effects Of Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic Radiation On The Health Of Workers In Automotive Industry

Electromagnetic radiation, together with air polution, water polution and solidwaste pollution, was declared one of the four main environmental hazards by WHO in1997. The extremely low frequency magnetic fields are possibly carcinogenic tohumans evaluated by IARC in2002. Current research on the biological effects ofelectromagnetic radiation is lack of support for large sample population data, andbiological effects reported are not consistent. In this study, the intensity of electricfield and magnetic induction in the workplace were detected, the information ofoccupational groups were surveyed, and the the physical checkup data on altermationeach system of workers were collected, these analysis will provide a reference for theworkplace exposure limit, strengthen the theoretical basis for personnel radiationprotection.Objective: To detected the exposure levels of extremely low frequencyelectromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) in two manufacturing workplace, anotherworkshop without ELF-EMF esposure was chosen as control group, the health effectsof ELF-EMFs in automotive industry on occupational workers were analyzed.Methods: The intensities of ELF-EMFs and noise were detected with EFA-300FieldAnalyzer and AWA5610D integrating sound level meter in two workshops (high andlow exposure groups), respectively. Survey data were collected by questionnaire incluster sampling, the survey and physical checkup data were analysed. The personalinformation, household information and health status were included in thequestionnaire, and ECG, biochemical indicators of liver function and hematologysystem indicators were included in physical examination. All the data were input intoEpidata3.1and Excel, and the appropriate statistic analysis were made by SPSS17.0software.Results:(1) Field test data indicated that the intensity of EMFs in high exposuregroup was significantly higher than those in low exposure group (Z=-2.857，P=0.004；Z=-3.539，P<0.001), while the noise in two workplaces showed no difference (t=-2.068，P=0.084).(2) The survey data showed that there was no significantlydifference in household information among three goups by questionnaires (P>0.05).The symptom of loss of hair in high exposure group was significantly higher than thatin low exposure group (Z=-2.047，P=0.041).(3) The checkup parameters showed thatthe level of TBIL in low exposure group was significantly lower than that in controlgroup (2=9.9333，P=0.002). The levels of AST, WBC, NEUT, LY, MCV, MCH andMCHC in low exposure group were significantly higher than those in control group(2=13.133，P<0.001；P<0.05；P<0.05；P<0.05；P<0.05；P<0.05；2=12.165，P<0.001). The abnormal rate of HCY, ALT, AST, ECG and the levels of ALT, AST,GGT, ALP, ALB, WBC, NEUT, LYM, LY, MCV and HCT were significantly higherthan those in control group (2=53.558，P<0.001；2=17.581，P<0.001；2=11.524，P=0.001；2=18.880，P<0.001；2=27.187，P<0.001；2=67.108，P<0.001；2=9.831，P=0.002；2=166.897，P<0.001；2=120.303，P<0.001；P<0.05；P<0.05；2=63.844，P<0.001；P<0.05；P<0.05；2=40.297，P<0.001).The abnormal rates of HCY, ALT, AST, ECG and the levels of ALT, AST, GGT, ALP,ALB, WBC, NEUT, LYM, MCV, HCT were significantly higher than those in lowexposure group (2=7.447，P=0.006；2=7.865，P=0.005；2=7.820，P=0.005；2=14.247，P<0.001；2=15.962，P<0.001；2=16.680，P<0.001；2=6.288，P=0.012；2=112.560，P<0.001；2=85.892，P<0.001；P<0.05；P<0.05；2=27.422，P<0.001；P<0.05；2=20.649，P<0.001). The abnormal rate of GGTand the level of TG in high exposure group were significantly lower than those incontrol group(2=8.107，P=0.004；2=6.804，P=0.009). The levels of TBIL, D-BIL,MCHC, PDW, TP and MPV in high exposure group were significantly lower thanthose in control group(2=84.438，P<0.001；2=121.347，P<0.001；2=242.489，P<0.001；2=237.539，P<0.001；2=7.367，P=0.007；2=13.233，P<0.001).The levels of LY, TBIL, D-BIL, MCHC, PDW and MCH in high exposure group weresignificantly lower than those in low exposure group(P<0.05；2=47.615，P<0.001；2=85.406，P<0.001；2=187.121，P<0.001；2=170.878，P<0.001；P<0.05).Conclusions:(1) The intensity of electric field intensity and magnetic induction in welding workshop were higher than those in the stamping workshop.(2) Thesymptom of loss of hair in high exposure group was significantly higher than that inlow exposure group.(3) Exposure to ELF-EMFs might have effects on thecardiovascular system of workers. The level of TBIL in low exposure group wassignificantly lower than that in control group. The abnormal rates of HCY, ALT, ASTand ECG in high exposure goup were significantly higher than those in low exposuregroup and control group. The levels of TBIL and D-BIL in high exposure goup werelower than those in low exposure group and control group. The abnormal rate of GGTand the level of TG in high exposure goup were significantly higher than those incontrol group.(4) Exposure to ELF-EMFs might have effects on the liver system ofworkers. The level of AST in low exposure goup was significantly higher than that incontrol group. The levels of ALT, AST, GGT, ALP and ALB in high exposure goupwere significantly higher than those in low exposure group and control group. The TPlevel in high exposure goup was lower than that in control group.(5) Exposure toELF-EMFs might have effects on the hematology system of workers. The levels ofWBC, NEUT, LY, MCV, MCH and MCHC in low exposure group were higher thanthose in control group. The levels of WBC, NEUT, LYM, LY, MCV and HCT in highexposure group were higher than those in control group and low exposure group. Thelevel of LY in high exposure group was higher than those in control group. The levelsof LY, MCH and MCHC in high exposure group were lower than those in lowexposure group. The levels of MCHC and MPV in high exposure group were lowerthan those in control group.