Note: This study found no significant biological effects under its experimental conditions. We include all studies for scientific completeness.
MEDICAL FOLLOW-UP STUDY OF HIGH VOLTAGE LINEMEN WORKING IN AC ELECTRIC FIELDS
No Effects Found
M. L. Singewald, M. D., G. R. Langworthy, M. D., W. B. Kouwenhoven, Dr. Engr., M. D. (Hon), Fellow IEEE · 1973
Early study of 11 power line workers found no health effects after nine years, but small sample size limits conclusions.
Plain English Summary
Summary written for general audiences
Johns Hopkins researchers followed 11 high-voltage electrical linemen for nine years, conducting regular physical and psychological exams to assess health effects from working in 60 Hz electric fields. The study found no adverse health effects from occupational exposure to power line frequencies, confirming their earlier 1966 findings.
Cite This Study
M. L. Singewald, M. D., G. R. Langworthy, M. D., W. B. Kouwenhoven, Dr. Engr., M. D. (Hon), Fellow IEEE (1973). MEDICAL FOLLOW-UP STUDY OF HIGH VOLTAGE LINEMEN WORKING IN AC ELECTRIC FIELDS.
Show BibTeX
@article{medical_follow_up_study_of_high_voltage_linemen_working_in_ac_electric_fields_g6927,
author = {M. L. Singewald and M. D. and G. R. Langworthy and M. D. and W. B. Kouwenhoven and Dr. Engr. and M. D. (Hon) and Fellow IEEE},
title = {MEDICAL FOLLOW-UP STUDY OF HIGH VOLTAGE LINEMEN WORKING IN AC ELECTRIC FIELDS},
year = {1973},
}Quick Questions About This Study
No, the Johns Hopkins study found no adverse health effects in 11 high-voltage linemen after nine years of regular medical monitoring, despite their occupational exposure to 60 Hz electric fields from power lines.
Researchers conducted a nine-year follow-up study of the same 11 linemen, performing extensive periodic physical and psychological examinations to monitor for any health changes from their power line exposure.
The Johns Hopkins Hospital staff conducted extensive periodic physical and psychological examinations on the linemen, though the study abstract doesn't specify the exact tests or measurements used in their evaluations.
Only 11 high-voltage linemen were included in this nine-year medical follow-up study, making it one of the smallest occupational EMF health studies on record from that era.
Yes, the 1973 follow-up confirmed the conclusions from the original 1966 Johns Hopkins study, finding that the health of high-voltage electrical workers was not affected by their occupational EMF exposure.