Future Needs of Occupational Epidemiology of Extremely Low Frequency Electric and Magnetic Fields: Review and Recommendations

Details

• Personal Author:
  Bowman, Joseph D. ; Checkoway, Harvey ; Feychting M ; Harrington, J. Michael ; Kavet R ; Kheifets L ; Marsh G ; Mezei G ; Renew DC ; van Wijngaarden E
• Description:
  The occupational epidemiological literature on extremely low frequency electric and magnetic fields (EMF) and health encompasses a large number of studies of varying design and quality that have addressed many health outcomes, including various cancers, cardiovascular disease, depression and suicide, and neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). At a 2006 workshop we reviewed studies of occupational EMF exposure with an emphasis on methodological weaknesses, and proposed analytical ways to address some of these. We also developed research priorities that we hope will address remaining uncertainties. Broadly speaking, extensive epidemiological research conducted during the past 20 years on occupational EMF exposure does not indicate strong or consistent associations with cancer or any other health outcomes. Inconsistent results for many of the outcomes may be attributable to numerous shortcomings in the studies, most notably in exposure assessment. There is, however, no obvious correlation between exposure assessment quality and observed associations. Nevertheless, for future research, the highest priorities emerge in both the areas of exposure assessment and investigation of ALS. To better assess exposure, we call for the development of a more complete job-exposure matrix that combines job title, work environment and task, and an index of exposure to electric fields, magnetic fields, spark discharge, contact current, and other chemical and physical agents. For ALS, we propose an international collaborative study capable of illuminating a reported association with electrical occupations by disentangling the potential roles of electric shocks, magnetic fields and bias. Such a study will potentially lead to evidence-based measures to protect public health. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Electromagnetic Phenomena Epidemiology Occupational Exposure Occupational Health Radiation Safety Workplace
• Keywords:
  Electrical-waves Electromagnetic-energy Electromagnetic-fields Electromagnetic-radiation Electromagnetic-wave-transmission Occupational-exposure Occupational-health Work-environment Worker-health Workplace-studies
• ISSN:
  1076-2752
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Ohio ; OSHA Region 5
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  DART - Division of Applied Research and Technology
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  72-80
• Volume:
  66
• Issue:
  1
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20034936
• Citation:
  J Occup Environ Med 2009 Jan; 66(1):72-80
• Contact Point Address:
  LLeeka Kheifets, UCLA School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, 73-284 CHS, 650 Charles E Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1772
• Email:
  kheifets@ucla.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2009
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Source Full Name:
  Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:962389c08dc06a2e7f958a74b4775f3aa44a042a4a1182c5e5dd1c267cdc01ac7bd289a6acf2cb541a6d7107ce6f69a086631838e9d0b45b41c6bdf72d55fdb4
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/186951/cdc_186951_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 326.13 KB ]