A biomonitoring study of genotoxic risk to workers of transformers and distribution line stations

Abstract

A cytogenetic monitoring study was carried out on a group of workers from transformer and distribution line stations in the Bursa province of Turkey, to investigate the genotoxic risk of occupational exposure to extremely low frequency electric (ELF) and magnetic fields (EMF). Cytogenetic analysis, namely chromosomal aberrations (CAs) and micronucleus (MN) tests were performed on a strictly selected group of 55 workers and compared to 17 controls. CA and MN frequencies in electrical workers appeared significantly higher than in controls (p < 0.001, 0.05, respectively). The frequency of CA in exposed groups were significantly enhanced with the years of exposure (p < 0.01). The effect of smoking on the level of CA and MN was not significant in the control and exposure groups. The results of this study demonstrated that a significant induction of cytogenetic damage in peripheral lymphocytes of workers engaged to occupational exposure to ELMF in electric transformer and distribution stations.

Keywords:

• electric and magnetic field exposure
• genotoxicity
• CA
• MN

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank H. Narli and Dr TC Bilgin at the TEİAS (Turkey Electric Transmission Company) for their cooperation during the study; N. Derebasi and D. Ugurlu for technical assistance; Dr F. Ersoy for her help in improving the English of the paper; and the workers for their participation in the study.