Effects of electromagnetic radiation exposure on bone mineral density, thyroid, and oxidative stress index in electrical workers.
Kunt H, Şentürk İ, Gönül Y, Korkmaz M, Ahsen A, Hazman Ö, Bal A, Genç A, Songur A. · 2016
View Original AbstractElectrical workers showed measurably weaker bones and disrupted thyroid function from occupational EMF exposure.
Plain English Summary
Researchers studied electrical workers exposed to electromagnetic fields from high-voltage power lines and compared their health markers to unexposed workers. They found that electrical workers had lower bone density, disrupted thyroid function, and higher oxidative stress (cellular damage from harmful molecules). This suggests that long-term occupational EMF exposure may weaken bones and disrupt hormone production.
Why This Matters
This study adds to mounting evidence that occupational EMF exposure carries real health consequences. Electrical workers face some of the highest EMF exposures of any profession, making them an important population to study. The combination of bone loss, thyroid disruption, and oxidative stress points to systemic health effects rather than isolated problems. What makes this particularly concerning is that these workers are exposed to the same type of extremely low frequency (ELF) fields generated by power lines that millions of people live near daily, though at lower intensities. The reality is that if high-level occupational exposure produces measurable bone and hormone changes, we need to seriously consider what chronic lower-level residential exposure might be doing over decades.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.
Study Details
To study the effects of electromagnetic radiation exposure on bone mineral density, thyroid, and oxidative stress index in electrical workers
Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) bone density measurements, serum free triiodothyronine (FT3)...
Bone mineral density levels of L1–L4 vertebrae and femur were observed significantly lower in the el...
Consequently, it was observed that the balance between construction and destruction in the bone metabolism of the electrical workers who were employed in HVETL replaced toward destruction and led to a decrease in OPG levels and an increase in RANK and RANKL levels. In line with the previous studies, long-term exposure to an electromagnetic field causes disorders in many organs and systems. Thus, it is considered that long-term exposure to an electromagnetic field affects bone and thyroid metabolism and also increases OSI by increasing the TOS and decreasing the antioxidant status.
Show BibTeX
@article{h_2016_effects_of_electromagnetic_radiation_1592,
author = {Kunt H and Şentürk İ and Gönül Y and Korkmaz M and Ahsen A and Hazman Ö and Bal A and Genç A and Songur A. },
title = {Effects of electromagnetic radiation exposure on bone mineral density, thyroid, and oxidative stress index in electrical workers. },
year = {2016},
url = {https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4758783/},
}