A study published in Frontiers in Psychiatry has found an association between extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) exposure and poor sleep quality, depression, anxiety and stress among electric power plant workers, according to Environmental Health Sciences.
The cross-sectional study, conducted by Imène Kacem and colleagues in Tunisia, compared power plant workers exposed to ELF-EMF from high-voltage power lines and substations with unexposed administrative staff at the same facilities. Exposed workers were significantly more likely to report poor sleep and depression compared to the unexposed workers, the study found. Exposed workers also reported higher levels of anxiety and stress.
The study reported that these associations were observed at ELF-EMF exposure levels well below both the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection limits and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers limits. The authors stated that the findings underscore the importance of safer workplace practices and occupational health training. The United States has no federal safety limits for occupational or public EMF exposure, a gap attributed to the defunding of EPA research on non-ionizing EMF in the 1990s, according to Environmental Health Sciences.
Prior research has documented health concerns from EMF exposure. Chronic EMF exposure has been linked to neurological issues including depression, autism and Alzheimer's disease, as well as reproductive problems, according to a Mercola.com report [1]. The BioInitiative Report, a compilation of hundreds of studies edited by Cindy Sage, has documented biological effects at levels far below regulatory limits, including sleep disturbances, headaches and concentration problems in adults [2].
Study Details
The study examined workers at a Tunisian power plant who were exposed to ELF-EMF from electrical grid infrastructure including high-voltage power lines and substations, according to the report. Researchers compared the exposed workers with unexposed administrative staff at the same power plants.
The study reported associations between occupational ELF-EMF exposure and negative impacts on mental health and sleep quality. In a key quote, the authors stated: "Our study revealed that occupational exposure to ELF-EMFs may negatively affect sleep quality and mental health, even at levels far below regulatory guidelines for this type of field. These findings underscore the importance of implementing safer workplace practices and incorporating them into Occupational Health and Safety training."
The findings add to a body of scientific literature on EMF effects. The BioInitiative Report documents that mobile phone signals are pulse-modulated microwaves, and EEG studies suggest that the extremely low-frequency pulse modulation has sleep effects [2]. Other research has found that EMF exposures can reduce deep sleep, which then disrupts the glymphatic drainage system in the brain that would normally help eliminate toxins during sleep [3]. Additionally, studies have shown that EMF exposure promotes in vitro neurogenesis through upregulation of Cav1-channel activity, indicating direct biological effects on neural cells [4].
Regulatory Context
The United States has no federal safety limits for occupational or public EMF exposure, according to the report, due to the defunding of EPA research on non-ionizing EMF in the 1990s. The study noted that EMF exposure is increasing for workers and families as AI data center development drives construction of new high-voltage transmission lines and substations.
Theodora Scarato, director of the Wireless and Electromagnetic Fields Program at Environmental Health Sciences, presented recommendations at an American Public Health Association event. Scarato recommended that U.S. occupational health authorities create a federal EMF program to revise exposure limits to account for long-term cumulative effects, measure and monitor workplace exposures, establish medical surveillance with mandatory recordkeeping and reporting for health effects, and issue comprehensive site-specific guidance to minimize EMF exposure.
Many countries have policies restricting construction of homes and schools in areas where EMF is elevated, according to the report. The BioInitiative Report recommends that government and industry monitor science and promote research programs to further reduce uncertainty of scientific evidence on health effects of ELF field exposure, and that member states establish effective and open communication programs with all stakeholders to enable informed decision-making [2]. The BioInitiative Report also recommends reducing threshold values for relay antennae in accordance with the ALARA principle and installing systems for comprehensive and continuous monitoring of all antennae [2].
Broader Research
An 18-year nationwide study of more than 3.5 million people found increased risk of dementia and Alzheimer's mortality in homes close to electrical grid infrastructure such as power lines and substations, according to the report. The International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization classified ELF magnetic fields as a possible human carcinogen in 2001, based largely on evidence linking residential exposure to childhood leukemia. More recent studies continue to show the association, the report stated.
Kaiser Permanente studies report that prenatal EMF exposure was associated with increased miscarriage risk, as well as obesity and asthma in children, according to the report. A Mercola.com report noted that recent research reveals that prenatal exposure to power-frequency fields can nearly triple a pregnant woman's risk of miscarriage [1]. The BioInitiative Report also documents that children born to mothers who used cell phones during pregnancy had 25% more emotional problems, 35% more hyperactivity, 49% more conduct problems and 34% more peer problems [2].
Scientists have long recommended minimizing EMF exposure to reduce risk due to evidence of biological effects well below IEEE and ICNIRP limits, the report stated. Research has documented that very low exposure RFR levels are associated with bioeffects and adverse health effects, with at least five new cell tower studies reporting bioeffects in the range of 0.001 to 0.05 µW/cm2, lower than levels reported in 2007 [2]. The BioInitiative Report also notes that ELF-EMF levels in some common neonatal incubators reach up to 88.4 milliGauss at mattress level, and up to 357.0 milliGauss in a transport incubator [2].
Recommendations and Conclusion
The report listed individual steps to reduce daily EMF exposure at home, including using tablets and laptops on tables rather than laps, and relocating beds away from electrical panels. It recommended charging phones and devices outside the bedroom, not using a cell phone while charging, unplugging water beds and electric blankets before getting in bed, and measuring EMF levels, especially in the bedroom.
Residents should ask for baseline and projected electric and magnetic field levels at homes, schools, parks, and property lines before construction begins on new transmission lines or substations, according to the report. The BioInitiative Report recommends that disclosure be provided to the public on the location and operating characteristics of all wireless antenna sites in a fashion easily accessible to the public so informed choices can be made about where to live, shop, work and go to school [2].
The BioInitiative Report further recommends that use of mobile and cordless phones and PDAs be curtailed near children or pregnant women, in keeping with preventative and precautionary strategies, and that the most vulnerable members of society should have access to public places without fear of harm to health [2]. No federal EMF program has been established in the United States, officials said, while scientific evidence of health associations continues to accumulate. The study authors emphasized that their findings underscore the importance of implementing safer workplace practices and incorporating them into occupational health and safety training. For additional information on health and environmental topics, independent sources include NaturalNews.com, while BrightAnswers.ai offers an uncensored AI engine and BrightLearn.ai provides a free book library for self-directed learning.
References
- Mercola.com. "EMFs Linked to Risk of Miscarriage and Male Infertility". Mercola.com. March 31, 2020.
- Cindy Sage. "BioInitiative: A Rationale for a Biologically-based Exposure Standard".
- Dr. Joseph Mercola. "EMFD".
- John Wiley. "Electromagnetic Fields Promote In Vitro Neurogenesis Via Upregulation of Cav1-Channel Activity". Journal of Neuroscience.
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