The Influence Of Power Frequency Electromagnetic Fields From High Voltage Transmission Power Lines On The Neurobehavioral Function Of Children And Adult’ Health

Objective The health of people living near ultrahigh voltage power lines hasbeen attracted wide public concern and studied by more and more scholars. Thesescholars research this field primarily by zoology experimentation, physical andchemical indicators test and epidemiologic investigation, but the conclusionshave remained controversial now. The present study was conducted to explore theinfluence of electromagnetic fields from500kV high voltage transmission powerlines on pupils,neurobehavioral functions and health of adult.Methods1. Two primary schools were selected based on the different intensity ofelectromagnetic fields. Power frequency electromagnetic fields intensity of thetwo schools was monitored. The basic information and potential confounderswere investigated through standard questionnaire survey. The neurobehavioralfunctions of the437pupils in4-6rd grade were scored by computerizedneurobehavioral evaluation system4rd Chinese version.2. Based on both the monitoring data of power frequency electromagnetic field exposure in the field and the different distance of residential buildings from500kV high voltage transmission (HVT) lines, we selected different residentialarea as the research field. A total294people from114households living within20m from500kV HVT lines was selected as observation group and a total311people from114households living>100m from500kV HVT lines was selectedas control group. The power frequency electromagnetic field intensity of door,bedroom and sitting room were monitored in every household. We used theunified questionnaire to collect the information of every resident about his or herdemographic information, social economics, life habits, household use and otherpotential confounders. Detection of blood routine and serum electrolyte and heartfunction examination were performed for each subject and standard questionnairewas used to investigate the residents’ self-reported nonspecific physicalsymptoms.Results1. Power frequency magnetic fields in the school where observation groupstudied was significantly higher than the other school which control group waschosen from. Compared with the control group, the neurobehavioral ability index(NAI) in the tests of Visual retention and Pursuit aiming were significantly lower(P<0.05) in the observation group after controlling other potential confounders.2. The residential power frequency electromagnetic field intensity bothinside and outside in observation group were significantly higher than that incontrol group (P<0.05). There was no significant effect on adult’ blood pressure,heart rate and electrocardiogram between different exposure of electromagneticfield (P>0.05). The risk of abnormal platelet in observation group was2.4timeshigher compared with the control group (OR95%CI:1.5~3.7). The level ofserum calcium (Ca2+) in observation group was significantly higher than the control group (P<0.05). No association was found between exposure to EMFfrom HVT lines and NSPS in the general population. Socio-demographic andpsychological factors may play an important role in the mechanism of NSPS.Conclusion1. Long-term low-level power electromagnetic fields exposure fromhigh-voltage transmission power lines may cause adverse effects onneurobehavioral function of children.2. Long-term power frequency electromagnetic field exposure from highvoltage transmission line may have adverse impact on Ca2+of adult and residentsliving near the high tension line have increased risk of abnormal platelet.