[Effect of exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields on liver function of workers].


Author: Liu X, Zhao LY, Chen HL, Liu C, Liu XD, Ma SM.

Affiliation: School of Public Health of Jilin University, Jilin 130021, China.
Conference/Journal: Zhonghua Lao Dong Wei Sheng Zhi Ye Bing Za Zhi.
Date published: 2013
Other:
  Special Notes: [Article in Chinese]   ,  Word Count: 254  
    OBJECTIVE:

To examine the effect of exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF EMFs) on the liver function of workers.

METHODS:

The workers in a factory were selected as subjects, and the recent physical examination data of these workers were collected. The workers aged 20∼40 years and with more than 2 years' working experience were included for analysis; considering the intensity of electromagnetic field, the workers exposed to less electromagnetic radiation were assigned to exposure I group (n = 123), those exposed to more electromagnetic radiation to exposure II group (n = 229), and those not exposed to electromagnetic radiation to control group (n = 212). There were no significant differences in sex, age, height, and body weight between the three groups (P > 0.05). Physical examination, including measurements of direct bilirubin (DBil), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), and albumin, was performed in a health examination center. The intensity of electromagnetic field was measured by EFA-300 power frequency electromagnetic field analyzer, and the intensity of noise by AWA5610D integrating sound level meter.

RESULTS:

The intensities of electric field and the magnetic field in exposure II group were significantly higher than those in the exposure I group. The levels of ALT, ALP, AST, GGT and albumin in exposure II group were significantly higher than those in exposure I group and control group. However, the level of direct bilirubin in exposure II group was significantly lower than that in exposure I group and control group.

CONCLUSION:

Occupational exposure to ELF EMFs may affect human liver function.

PMID: 24053962