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Resveratrol may reverse the effects of long-term occupational exposure to electromagnetic fields on workers of a power plant.

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Zhang D, Zhang Y, Zhu B, Zhang H, Sun Y, Sun C · 2017

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Power plant workers showed DNA damage from decades of EMF exposure, but antioxidant intervention reversed the biological harm.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers studied 186 power plant workers exposed to high-voltage lines for over 20 years and found elevated DNA damage markers in their blood. When workers took resveratrol supplements, these harmful effects significantly improved, suggesting antioxidants may protect against electromagnetic field damage.

Why This Matters

This study provides compelling evidence that occupational EMF exposure creates measurable biological stress in the human body. The researchers found elevated levels of 8-OHdG, a marker of DNA damage, and F2-isoprostane, indicating oxidative stress, in workers with decades of exposure to power line EMFs. What makes this research particularly valuable is that it demonstrates these effects are reversible with targeted intervention. The magnetic field levels measured (0.02 µT) are actually lower than what many people experience from household appliances, yet the chronic nature of the exposure over 20+ years appears to create cumulative biological effects. While this study focused on resveratrol supplementation, the key takeaway isn't about any specific supplement, but rather that EMF exposure creates oxidative stress that the body's natural defenses may struggle to handle over time.

Exposure Details

Magnetic Field
0.02 mG
Electric Field
1426 V/m
Source/Device
< 10 MHz
Exposure Duration
More than 20 years

Exposure Context

This study used 1426 V/m for electric fields:

This study used 0.02 mG for magnetic fields:

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.

Where This Falls on the Concern Scale

Study Exposure Level in ContextStudy Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 0.02 mGExtreme Concern - 5 mGFCC Limit - 2,000 mGEffects observed in the No Concern rangeFCC limit is 100,000x higher than this level
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 10 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 10 MHzPower lines50/60 HzCell phones~1 GHzWiFi2.4 GHz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

The aim of this study is to observe how Resveratrol may reverse the effects of long-term occupational exposure to electromagnetic fields on workers of a power plant.

A total of 186 male workers with occupational exposure to high-voltage electricity lines, and 154 ma...

Workers who had long-term exposure to high-voltage electricity lines exhibited elevated urinary leve...

This study supported that occupational and long-term exposure to high-voltage electricity lines has an adverse effect on homeostasis of human body, and resveratrol supplement could be an effective protection strategy against the adverse effects induced by ELF-EMFs.

Cite This Study
Zhang D, Zhang Y, Zhu B, Zhang H, Sun Y, Sun C (2017). Resveratrol may reverse the effects of long-term occupational exposure to electromagnetic fields on workers of a power plant. Oncotarget. 2017 Jul 18;8(29):47497-47506. doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.17668. PMID: 28537898; PMCID: PMC5564581.
Show BibTeX
@article{d_2017_resveratrol_may_reverse_the_489,
  author = {Zhang D and Zhang Y and Zhu B and Zhang H and Sun Y and Sun C},
  title = {Resveratrol may reverse the effects of long-term occupational exposure to electromagnetic fields on workers of a power plant.},
  year = {2017},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28537898/},
}
PubMed: 28537898

Cited By (14 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

Research shows power plant workers exposed to high-voltage lines for over 20 years had significantly elevated DNA damage markers in their blood. A 2017 study of 186 workers found increased oxidative stress indicators compared to unexposed groups, suggesting long-term occupational electromagnetic field exposure may harm cellular DNA.
A study of power plant workers found that long-term electromagnetic field exposure disrupted the body's natural balance, causing elevated DNA damage markers and oxidative stress. However, these harmful effects were significantly reversed when workers took resveratrol antioxidant supplements.
Yes, resveratrol supplements significantly reversed harmful effects from electromagnetic field exposure in power plant workers. The 2017 study showed this antioxidant reduced DNA damage markers and improved cellular health in workers exposed to high-voltage lines for over 20 years.
Power plant workers exposed to high-voltage lines for over 20 years showed elevated DNA damage and oxidative stress markers in their blood. The research indicates long-term occupational electromagnetic field exposure disrupts normal body functions, though antioxidant supplements may provide protection.
Electromagnetic fields from power lines increase oxidative stress, which damages DNA over time. A study of 186 power plant workers found elevated DNA damage markers after 20+ years of exposure, but resveratrol antioxidants significantly reversed these harmful cellular effects.