Personal Measures of Power-Frequency Magnetic Field Exposure Among Men From an Infertility Clinic: Distribution, Temporal Variability and Correlation With Their Female Partners' Exposure

Abstract

Power-frequency magnetic field exposure science as it relates to men and couples have not been explored despite the advantage of this information in the design and interpretation of reproductive health epidemiology studies. This analysis examined the distribution and temporal variability of exposures in men, and the correlation of exposures within couples using data from a longitudinal study of 25 men and their female partners recruited from an infertility clinic. The average and 90th percentile demonstrated fair to good reproducibility, whereas the maximum showed poor reproducibility over repeated sampling days, each separated by a median of 4.6 weeks. Average magnetic field exposures were also strongly correlated within couples, suggesting that one partner's data could be used as a surrogate in the absence of data from the other for this metric. Environment was also an important effect modifier in these explored matters. These issues should be considered in future relevant epidemiology studies.

Infertility among iron industry workers

“…In an another study, the distribution and temporal variability of power-frequency magnetic fi eld exposure in men, and the correlation of exposures within couples using data from a longitudinal study of 25 men and their female partners recruited from an infertility clinic was conducted. The average and 90 th percentile demonstrated fair to good reproducibility, whereas the maximum poor reproducibility was shown over repeated sampling days, each separated by a median of 4.6weeks [9].…”

“…Iron industry has previously been assessed for different associated toxicities [1][2][3][4][5]. A wide range of studies have been conducted to assess the effects of occupations on the fertility status of workers [6][7][8][9][10][11]. Different industries involve an exposure to different sets of chemicals, nascent metals, dusts and fumes.…”

Association of personal exposure to power-frequency magnetic fields with pregnancy outcomes among women seeking fertility treatment in a longitudinal cohort study

“…Personal MF exposure monitor specifications and details have been previously described (13,16). Briefly, women were asked to wear an Emdex Lite (Enertech), a small battery-powered personal MF exposure monitor worn at hip level that is lightweight (170 g) and approximately the size of a mobile phone (12 Â 6 Â 2.5 cm).…”