Assessment of cortisol secretory pattern in workers chronically exposed to ELF-EMF generated by high voltage transmission lines and substations. (March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Touitou, Yvan; Selmaoui, Brahim; Lambrozo, Jacques
• Is Part Of: Environment international. Volume 161(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-03
• Subjects: Electromagnetic fields -- Magnetic fields -- Cortisol -- Circadian desynchronization -- Health risks; Environmental protection -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Environmental monitoring -- Periodicals; Environmental Monitoring -- Periodicals; Environnement -- Protection -- Périodiques; Hygiène du milieu -- Périodiques; Environnement -- Surveillance -- Périodiques; Environmental health; Environmental monitoring; Environmental protection; Periodicals; 333.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107103
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0160-4120

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Health risks, including cancer, are associated with exposure to electric and magnetic fields. Most available literature describes biological changes following short-term exposure. Additional effects due to long-term exposure cannot be ruled out. Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and ELF-EMF relationship has been highlighted. We report a decline in the peak-time concentration of cortisol in workers exposed for 1 to 20 years. Cortisol secretion and the related biological mechanisms should be monitored in long-term exposure to ELF-EMF. Abstract: We investigated the effects of extremely-low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs; 50 Hz) on the secretion of cortisol in 14 men (mean age = 38.0 ± 0.9 years) working in extra-high voltage (EHV) substations. The workers dwelt in houses that were close to substations and high-voltage lines. Thus, they had long histories (1–20 years) of long-yerm exposure to ELF-EMFs. Magnetic field strength was recorded using Emdex dosimeters worn by the volunteers day and night for seven days; the one-week geometric mean ranged from 0.1 to 2.6 μT. Blood samples were taken hourly from 20:00 to 08:00 the next morning. Cortisol concentrations and patterns were compared to age-matched, unexposed control subjects whose exposure level was ten times lower. The comparison of the control group (n = 15) and the groups exposed to fields of 0.1–0.3 μT (n = 5) and > 0.3 μT (n = 9), respectively, revealed a significant effect of field intensity on the cortisol secretory pattern. This study strongly suggests that chronic exposure to ELF-EMFs alters the peak-time serum cortisol levels. Studies are required on the effect of this disruption in high-risk populations such as children, elderly people, and patients with cancer.