Abstract
BackgroundExposure to electromagnetic field (EMF) emitted by mobile phone and other machineries concerns half the world’s population and raises the problem of their impact on human health. The present study aims to explore the effects of electromagnetic field exposures on sleep quality and sleep duration among workers from electric power plant.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in an electric power plant of Zhejiang Province, China. A total of 854 participants were included in the final analysis. The detailed information of participants was obtained by trained investigators using a structured questionnaire, which including socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle variables, sleep variables and electromagnetic exposures. Physical examination and venous blood collection were also carried out for every study subject.ResultsAfter grouping daily occupational electromagnetic exposure into three categories, subjects with long daily exposure time had a significantly higher risk of poor sleep quality in comparison to those with short daily exposure time. The adjusted odds ratios were 1.68 (95%CI: 1.18, 2.39) and 1.57 (95%CI: 1.10, 2.24) across tertiles. Additionally, among the subjects with long-term occupational exposure, the longer daily occupational exposure time apparently increased the risk of poor sleep quality (OR (95%CI): 2.12 (1.23∼3.66) in the second tertile; 1.83 (1.07∼3.15) in the third tertile). There was no significant association of long-term occupational exposure duration, monthly electric fee or years of mobile-phone use with sleep quality or sleep duration.ConclusionsThe findings showed that daily occupational EMF exposure was positively associated with poor sleep quality. It implies EMF exposure may damage human sleep quality rather than sleep duration.
Highlights
Previous epidemiologic studies have suggested that sleep disorder plays an important role in overall human health and diseases including depression and anxiety [1], obesity [2], metabolic syndrome [3,4,5], diabetes [6], and immune function [7]
Several publications have raised concerns about the individual and public health impact of adverse nonionizing radiation from electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure emanating from certain power, electrical and wireless devices commonly found in the home, workplace, school and community [15]
Previous studies have indicated that any potential cellular and tissue damage is associated with exposure to ionizing radiation from X-rays, electromagnetic field (EMF) emitting from power lines, recent attention has suggested that mobile phones, interphones, common electrical devices and some types of machinery are potential health hazards
Summary
Previous epidemiologic studies have suggested that sleep disorder plays an important role in overall human health and diseases including depression and anxiety [1], obesity [2], metabolic syndrome [3,4,5], diabetes [6], and immune function [7]. In the recent decades, emerging wireless technologies like mobile phones or cordless phones have become ubiquitous It is an important source for individuals’ radiofrequency electromagnetic fields exposures (RF-EMF) in daily life [13]. Several publications have raised concerns about the individual and public health impact of adverse nonionizing radiation from electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure emanating from certain power, electrical and wireless devices commonly found in the home, workplace, school and community [15]. Previous studies have indicated that any potential cellular and tissue damage is associated with exposure to ionizing radiation from X-rays, electromagnetic field (EMF) emitting from power lines, recent attention has suggested that mobile phones, interphones, common electrical devices and some types of machinery are potential health hazards. The present study aims to explore the effects of electromagnetic field exposures on sleep quality and sleep duration among workers from electric power plant
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