Medical Evaluation of Man Working in AC Electric Fields

Kouwenhoven, W. B.; Langworthy, Orthello R.; Singewald, Martin L.; Knickerbocker, G. G.

doi:10.1109/tpas.1967.291861

Cited by 45 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 2 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…However, the Soviet studies had no adequate control groups and did not address the possibility that the reported health problems could be due to other environmental or lifestyle factors. On the other hand, studies of electrical utility workers in Canada, (15) Sweden, (16) Great Britain, (17) and the United States (18) have not con rmed either the presence of adverse effects on general health or the complaints reported by the Soviets.…”

Section: Epidemiological Studies Occupational Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of Biological Effects, Dosimetric Models, and Exposure Assessment Related to ELF Electric- and Magnetic-Field Guidelines

Kavet

Stuchly²,

Bailey³

et al. 2001

Applied Occupational and Environmental Hygiene

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Several organizations worldwide have issued guidelines to limit occupational and public exposure to electric and magnetic fields and contact currents in the extremely low frequency range (<3 kilohertz). In this paper, we evaluate relevant developments in biological and health research, computational methods for estimating dosimetric quantities, and exposure assessment, all with an emphasis on the power frequency (60 hertz in North America, 50 hertz in Europe). The aim of each guideline is to prevent acute neural effects of induced electric fields. An evaluation of epidemiological and laboratory studies of neurobiological effects identified peripheral nerve stimulation as the response most suitable for establishing a magnetic-field guideline. Key endpoints that merit further study include reversal of evoked potentials; cardiovascular function, as measured by heart rate and heart rate variability; and sleep patterns. High-resolution computations of induced electric fields and current densities in anatomically correct human models are now achieved with finite-difference methods. The validity and limitations of these models have been demonstrated by computations in regular geometric shapes, using both analytic and numeric computations. Calculated values for average dosimetric quantities are typically within a few percent for the two approaches. However, maximum induced quantities are considerably overestimated by numerical methods, particularly at air interfaces. Overestimates are less pronounced for the upper 99th percentile level of a dosimetric quantity, making this measure a more useful indicator of maximum dose. Neural stimulation thresholds are dependent on the electric field around the excitable cell rather than on the current density, making the former preferable for expression of basic restrictions based on nervous system function. Furthermore, modeling data indicate that the induced electric field is much less strongly influenced by tissue conductivity than is the induced current density. In the electric utility industry, most magnetic-field exposures at or near guideline levels occur in highly nonuniform fields. Two methods are described for simplified estimation of induced quantities in such fields, with each method using as input modeling results for uniform field exposure. These methods have practical value for assessing occupational exposures relative to guideline levels.

show abstract

Section: Epidemiological Studies Occupational Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of Biological Effects, Dosimetric Models, and Exposure Assessment Related to ELF Electric- and Magnetic-Field Guidelines

Kavet

Stuchly²,

Bailey³

et al. 2001

Applied Occupational and Environmental Hygiene

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…However, there have been only a few studies in man regarding clinical pathologic effects of electric field exposures, some indicating that alterations may occur in the hematopoietic and other major organ systems. Singewald et a1 [1973] and Kouwenhoven et al [1967] reported on extensive medical examinations of linemen working on 138-and 345-kV transmission systems in which no clinical pathologic effects were observed over a prolonged time period. Hauf [ 19761 found increased reticulocyte and neutrophil concentrations in men exposed at 20 kV/m for only 3 h under controlled conditions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hematologic and serum chemistry studies in rats exposed to 60‐Hz electric fields

Ragan

Buschbom

Pipes

et al. 1983

Bioelectromagnetics

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Numerous hematologic and serum chemistry variables were examined in rats exposed to unperturbed 60-Hz electric fields at 100 kV/m for 15, 30, 60, or 120 days. Each study was replicated once. Rigorous statistical evaluations of these data did not detect any consistent effect of the electric field for exposures of up to 120 days. It was, however, not unusual in any individual study to detect certain variables that were significantly different between the exposed and sham-exposed animals. This emphasizes the need for replicate designs and appropriate statistical analyses when investigating chemical or physical insults that may have minimal influence on biologic function.

show abstract

“…However, with the exception of a study on a small number of Spanish switchyard workers (16), comparable health surveys on occupationally exposed workers performed in the United States (17,18), Canada (19,20), Spain (21), Sweden (22), the United Kingdom (23), and Italy (24), have failed to confirm the health effects reported in the Soviet Union. Furthermore, health effects associated with exposure to electric and magnetic fields could not be demonstrated either among farmers working in the proximity of a 765 kV power line (25,26) nor among people, both adults and children, living less than 25 m from a high-voltage power line (27).…”

Section: Epidemiologic Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physiological and psychological effects of exposure to extremely low-frequency electric and magnetic fields on humans.

Gamberale¹

1990

Scand J Work Environ Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Medical Evaluation of Man Working in AC Electric Fields

Cited by 45 publications

References 2 publications

Evaluation of Biological Effects, Dosimetric Models, and Exposure Assessment Related to ELF Electric- and Magnetic-Field Guidelines

Evaluation of Biological Effects, Dosimetric Models, and Exposure Assessment Related to ELF Electric- and Magnetic-Field Guidelines

Hematologic and serum chemistry studies in rats exposed to 60‐Hz electric fields

Physiological and psychological effects of exposure to extremely low-frequency electric and magnetic fields on humans.

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About