Department of Occupational Hygiene, School of Public Health and Center for Air Pollution Research (CAPR), Institute for Environmental Research (IER), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Department of Physics, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Islamic Azad University- Tehran North Branch and Center for Air Pollution Research (CAPR), Institute for Environmental Research (IER), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
J Environ Health Sci Eng. 2014 Apr 29;12:78. doi: 10.1186/2052-336X-12-78. eCollection 2014.
Advances in science and technology of electrical equipment, despite increasing human welfare in everyday life, have increased the number of people exposed to Electro-Magnetic Fields (EMFs). Because of possible adverse effects on the health of exposed individuals, the EMFs have being the center of attention. This study was performed to determine possible correlation between Extremely Low Frequency Electro-Magnetic Fields (ELF EMFs) and sleep quality and public health of those working in substation units of a petrochemical complex in southern Iran.
To begin with, magnetic flux density was measured at different parts of a Control Building and two substations in accordance with IEEE std 644-1994. Subsequently, the questionnaires "Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index" (PSQI) and "General Health Quality (GHQ)" were used to investigate relationship between ELF exposure level and sleep quality and public health, respectively. Both questionnaires were placed at disposal of a total number of 40 workers at the complex. The filled out questionnaires were analyzed by T-test, Duncan and the Chi-square tests.
The obtained results revealed that 28% of those in case group suffered from poor health status and 61% were diagnosed with a sleep disorder. However, all members in control group were in good health condition and only 4.5% of them had undesirable sleep quality.
In spite of a significant difference between the case and control groups in terms of sleep quality and general health, no significant relationship was found between the exposure level and sleep quality and general health. It is worth noting that the measured EMF values were lower than the standard limits recommended by American Conference of Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). However, given the uncertainties about the pathogenic effects caused by exposure to ELF EMFs, further epidemiological studies and periodic testing of personnel working in high voltage substations are of utmost importance.
电气设备科学技术的进步，尽管在日常生活中增加了人类的福利，但却增加了接触电磁场（EMF）的人数。由于暴露于电磁场的个体可能产生不良健康影响，因此电磁场成为了关注的焦点。本研究旨在确定伊朗南部某石化综合体变电站工作人员接触极低频电磁场（ELF EMF）与睡眠质量和公众健康之间的可能相关性。
首先，根据 IEEE std 644-1994 标准，在控制楼和两个变电站的不同部位测量磁通密度。随后，使用“匹兹堡睡眠质量指数”（PSQI）和“一般健康质量”（GHQ）问卷分别调查 ELF 暴露水平与睡眠质量和公众健康之间的关系。这些问卷被放置在该综合体的 40 名工人手中。通过 T 检验、邓肯检验和卡方检验对填写的问卷进行分析。
结果表明，病例组中有 28%的人健康状况不佳，61%的人被诊断患有睡眠障碍。然而，对照组所有成员的健康状况良好，只有 4.5%的人睡眠质量不佳。
尽管病例组和对照组在睡眠质量和总体健康方面存在显著差异，但暴露水平与睡眠质量和总体健康之间没有发现显著关系。值得注意的是，所测量的电磁场值低于美国工业卫生学家会议（ACGIH）推荐的标准限值。然而，鉴于接触极低频电磁场可能产生的致病影响存在不确定性，对高压变电站工作人员进行进一步的流行病学研究和定期测试至关重要。
