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

ABSTRACT

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.