Depressive Symptoms and Headaches in Relation to Proximity of Residence to an Alternating-Current Transmission Line Right-of-way

Abstract

Electric power transmission lines have become objects of public controversy. Hypotheses have linked neurobehavioral effects to the electric and magnetic fields that these lines produce. The authors conducted a telephone interview survey in November 1987 to assess the prevalence of depressive symptoms and headache in relation to proximity of residence to an alternating-current transmission line in the United States. Proximity to the line, defined as residing on a property abutting the right-of-way or being able to see the towers from one's house or yard, was positively associated with a measure of depressive symptoms. The association was not explained by demographic variables associated with depression or by attitudes about power lines or other environmental issues. The estimated prevalence odds ratio was 2.8 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.6-5.1). The estimate did not change appreciably when the definitions of depressive symptoms or of proximity to the line were altered. Nonmigraine headaches had a weaker association with proximity to the line (odds ratio = 1.5, 95% CI 0.76-2.8), and self-reported migraine headaches exhibited no association (odds ratio = 0.99, 95% CI 0.29-3.4). Additional studies of psychological and behavioral measures should be conducted in relation to electric and magnetic fields, with a strong emphasis on improved exposure assessment.

Interaction of static and extremely low frequency electric and magnetic fields with living systems: Health effects and research needs

“…Baris et al [1996] reported evidence for an association between suicide and cumulative electric-field exposure. A correlation between EMF residential exposure and depression was suggested by other studies [Dowson and Lewint, 1988;Perry et al, 1989;Poole et al, 1993], but no correlation was found by McMahan et al [1994]. Wilson [1988] suggested that the possible disruption by ELF-field exposure of the natural circadian rhythms of melatonin could be linked to depression. No association was found between occupational exposure to electric fields and symptoms of depression in 390 electric power transmission and distribution workers [Broadbent et al, 1985].…”

Toxicologic Study of Electromagnetic Radiation Emitted by Television and Video Display Screens and Cellular Telephones on Chickens and Mice

“…Other effects which have been observed include disturbances of sleep [2], a deterioration of cerebral activity [3,4], changes in the permeability of the meninges [5], an increase in blood pressure [6], induction of stress [7], hormonal disturbances [8][9][10] and carcinogenic changes [11][12][13]. Similarly, papers have been published which attracted the attention of scientists and the population in general and which purported to show a relationship between exposures to ELF and an increase in certain health risks such as cancer [14,15], abortion [16,17], suicide and depression [18,19].…”

Exposure to electromagnetic fields and suicide among electric utility workers: a nested case-control study

“…[9][10][11][12] Moreover, exposure to EMFs has been linked with depression and depressive tendencies. [13][14][15][16][17][18] Finally, there is strong evidence that depressive illness is an important risk factor for suicide. 3,4 We conducted a case-control study to consider the risk of suicide for electric utility workers for whom individual estimates of exposure to magnetic fields were obtained based on job titles.…”