TITLE:
The Potential Bioeffects of Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic Fields on Melatonin Levels & Related Oxidative Stress in Electric Utility Workers Exposed to 132 kV Substation
AUTHORS:
Ravindra Tiwari, Suresh Chandra Bhargava, Yog Raj Ahuja
KEYWORDS:
Melatonin; Oxidative Stress; 132 kV; Live-Line Workers
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Electromagnetic Analysis and Applications,
Vol.5 No.11,
November
22,
2013
ABSTRACT: Electricity substations take electricity
from power lines and transformer lines to transform it from high to low voltage and distribute to the consumers. These
substations generate low frequency electromagnetic fields similar to those emitted from over head power lines and electrical appliances
at home. The present study is focused on assessing the potential bioeffects
of Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic Fields (ELF-EMFs) on melatonin level
and oxidative stress biomarkers, in subjects occupationally exposed to 132 kV high voltage substation in Hyderabad,
India. These subjects are involved in maintenance and installation of power line
distribution at electricity transmission network. The ELFEMFs exposed subjects (n = 142) included the electric utility workers,
who were compared with age, and socioeconomic status matched controls (n = 151). The subjects were professionally
categorized based on their job titles, with different exposure levels, as administrative workers (low exposure), maintenance
workers (medium exposure) and liveline workers (high exposure). The plasma
melatonin levels were significantly suppressed in the high exposed subjects i.e., hotline workers (p 0.05). The oxidant status levels of plasma
Malondialdehyde (MDA) and Nitric Oxide (NO) showed significantly increased levels
in all the exposed subjects (p 0.05). The activity
levels of erythrocyte antioxidative enzyme when compared to control subjects were significantly reduced in the exposed subjects
of all the categories (p 0.05).