This study aims to investigate the effect of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields exposure on sleep quality in high voltage substations (132, 230 and 400 KV) in Kerman city and the suburbs. For this purpose, the electric field intensity and magnetic flux density were measured in different parts of substations, and then the occupational exposure was estimated by averaging electric field intensity and magnetic flux density in a shift work. The cases comprised 67 workers who had been exposed to electromagnetic fields in age range of 24–57 and the controls were 110 persons the age ranged 24–50 years. Sleep quality of both groups was evaluated by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire (PSQI). Finally, these data were subjected to statistical analysis. The results indicated that 90.5% of cases and 85.3% of controls had the poor quality sleep according to PSQI (P-value=0.615). Total sleep quality score mean for the case and control groups were 10.22 ± 3.4 and 9.74 ± 3.62 (P-value=0.415) ,respectively. Meantime to fall asleep for cases(35.68 ± 26.25 min) was significantly higher than for controls (28.89 ± 20.18 min) (P-value=0.002). Cases had average sleep duration of 5.49 ± 1.31 hours, which was lower ascompared with control subjects (5.90 ± 1.67hours). Although there was a higher percentage for the case group with poor sleep quality than the control group, but no statistically significant difference was observed.

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Noise is one of the most harmful agents in the workplace. In addition to the adverse effects of noise on the auditory system, as a stressor it may cause increased blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, anxiety, and impaired secretion of hormones. The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in urinary catecholamines in workers exposed to industrial noise. This is an experimental study of the workers at the smelter section of Sarcheshmeh Copper Industries done on two separate days. During the first day, urine samples from 20 workers who did not use any hearing protection device, were collected during an 8-h work shift and on the second day the same was done but they were asked to use earplugs. Also 20 people were selected as a control group from people who were not exposed to noise at work. Urinary catecholamine levels were measured with ELISA kits. The mean urinary epinephrine and norepinephrine levels in the workers (without earplugs) was respectively 8.69 and 35.56 μg/8h on the first day and on the second day (with earplugs) dropped to 6.45 and 30.95 μg/8h. Noise reduction by earplugs led to almost significant reductions in urinary epinephrine (p = 0.05) and significant reductions in norepinephrine (p = 0.02). The results showed that with noise reduction the urinary excretion of stress hormones, especially norepinephrine significantly decreases and workers are probably less prone to stress-related disorders.

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<p><strong>Background: </strong>There are a few studies about the health effects of steady magnetic fields. This study was performed in order to evaluate some of the mental effects of exposure to steady magnetic fields in the copper electrolysis unit.<strong></strong></p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This cross-sectional descriptive and analytical study was performed at the electrolysis unit of a Copper Complex in Kerman Province in 2013. The populations under study were ninety workers exposed to steady magnetic fields chosen as the exposed group and 90 workers without exposure chosen from the concentration unit and similar to the exposure group in regard to working conditions. The intensity of steady magnetic field was measured in different parts of the saloon and in the head, waist and feet position. Measuring mental signs was performed by the General Health Questionnaire GHQ-28. Data analysis was performed through SPSS19 and the Mann-Whitney U, one way ANOVA, Chi-square test and Regression analysis was used.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In this study the mean intensity of the steady magnetic field in the exposed group was 2.5 mT. The mean rank of mental health in the exposed group was 102.04 and in the unexposed group was 78.96 and the difference was statistically significant (p=0.003). Also there were statistical differences between the two groups in anxiety and sleep disorder (p=0.001) and depression (p=0.007) dimensions.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>It appears that exposure to static magnetic fields can cause psychological complications. Therefore, more research is recommended to improve the safety of workers exposed to these fields.<strong></strong></p>