Ambulatory ECG monitoring in workers exposed to electromagnetic fields.
Bortkiewicz, A, Zmyslony, M, Gadzicka, E, Palczynski, C, Szmigielski, S · 1997
View Original AbstractWorkers exposed to radio frequency fields showed heart rhythm abnormalities three times more often than unexposed workers.
Plain English Summary
Researchers studied heart function in 71 workers at AM radio broadcast stations who were regularly exposed to electromagnetic fields compared to 22 unexposed workers. They found that 75% of EMF-exposed workers showed abnormal heart rhythms on electrocardiograms, compared to only 25% of unexposed workers. This suggests that occupational EMF exposure may significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular problems.
Why This Matters
This study provides compelling evidence that electromagnetic field exposure affects cardiovascular function in real-world occupational settings. The threefold increase in heart rhythm abnormalities among broadcast workers is particularly striking given that both groups had similar lifestyles, ages, and work conditions. The exposure levels these workers experienced (165 V/m maximum) are substantially higher than typical consumer electronics but comparable to what you might encounter near cell towers or high-power wireless equipment. What makes this research especially valuable is its use of 24-hour heart monitoring rather than just snapshot measurements, revealing rhythm disturbances that might otherwise go undetected. The science demonstrates a clear dose-response relationship, with workers averaging nearly 19 years of exposure showing significantly more cardiovascular effects than unexposed controls.
Exposure Details
- Electric Field
- 165 V/m
- Source/Device
- 0.738-1.503 MHz
Exposure Context
This study used 165 V/m for electric fields:
- 550x above the Building Biology guideline of 0.3 V/m
Building Biology guidelines are practitioner-based limits from real-world assessments. BioInitiative Report recommendations are based on peer-reviewed science. Check Your Exposure to compare your own measurements.
Study Details
The aim of this study was to evaluate the function of the circulatory system in workers occupationally exposed to medium frequency electromagnetic fields
The subjects were 71 workers at four AM broadcast stations [0.738-1.503 MHz] aged 20-68 (mean 46.9 +...
The electrocardiographic abnormalities detected in the resting and/ or 24 h ECG were significantly m...
A clear tendency for a higher number of rhythm disturbances (mostly ExV) was observed in AM broadcast station workers.
Show BibTeX
@article{bortkiewicz_1997_ambulatory_ecg_monitoring_in_870,
author = {Bortkiewicz and A and Zmyslony and M and Gadzicka and E and Palczynski and C and Szmigielski and S},
title = {Ambulatory ECG monitoring in workers exposed to electromagnetic fields.},
year = {1997},
doi = {10.3109/03091909709008403},
url = {https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3109/03091909709008403},
}