Just as they surround us, an air of mystery surrounds EMFs, or electric and magnetic fields. Members of the medical community have begun to question the effect of these low frequency fields on the health of electrical workers.

Though we don’t often think about them, the pervading presence of electric and magnetic fields, or EMFs, is a part of modern society. These invisible waves of force are generated by every piece of electrical equipment we use, from electric razors to photocopiers to factory equipment. One of the properties that distinguish EMFs from other forms of electromagnetic energy such as X-rays, radio signals, microwaves and visible light is their frequency, a quantifier that is measured in hertz (Hz), the number of wave peaks that pass a given point in one second. EMFs typically have a frequency of 60 Hz. As omnipresent as EMFs are, there is still much that is not yet known about them. Recently, scientists and medical experts have begun to question the effects that electric and magnetic fields have on human health. Several studies have been undertaken whose aim is to establish whether or not these fields of invisible energy are directly associated with health problems.

Not surprisingly, many of these studies have chosen to focus on workers in the electrical industry. These individuals are, generally, exposed to greater levels of EMFs than the average human encounters in the course of a day. Some of these studies have shown that electrical workers exposed to high magnetic fields have increased cancer rates. But these associations are not conclusive. They only show an association. Because a direct link has not been established, scientists are in a state of disagreement except to say that more testing is needed. Some of the studies thus far have indicated small increases in the rate of leukemia or brain cancer in people working near high magnetic fields. Other studies find no such association and even those that do find associations with cancer disagree with each other on what types of cancer exposure to EMFs are likely to cause.

Some of the scientific studies of EMFs have yielded surprising results. An exhaustive study conducted by the University of North Carolina has established a distinct association between exposure to EMFs and suicide. According to the study, electricians working for electrical utility companies face twice the expected risk of suicide. The study examined the suicide statistics of a group of 138,905 male US electric utility workers. Citing employment documents, death certificates and other records as evidence, the study found 536 suicides among current or former electric utility workers in the group between 1950 and 1986 and identified 5,348 non-suicides of the same race and age to serve as controls. Interestingly, younger people appeared more likely to commit suicide than older ones. Also, the study found that the higher and more recent the exposure, the greater the chances that the electrical workers might take their own lives. Though the researchers have not come to a concrete conclusion as to why EMFs might contribute to suicide, they do submit a hypothesis. According to researcher Edwin van Wigngaarden, “One biologically plausible explanation is that EMFs depress production of melatonin, a hormone that’s important for sleep and mood. Decreases in melatonin can lead to depression, which in turn can lead to suicide.”

Because of the uncertainty of the scientific community regarding EMFs, no Federal limits for worker exposures have yet been established in the US. As of now, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and other government agencies do not consider EMFs a proven health hazard. However, because some studies have associated high magnetic field exposures with increased health risks, the government will continue to research the effects of EMFs. Until future evidence proves, or disproves, a link to poor health, there are some precautions companies can take to effectively minimize their workers’ exposure to EMFs. These precautions include maintaining a safe distance between the electrical worker and the EMF sources. The effect of magnetic fields often drops off drastically at about 3 feet. Companies can also reduce the time workers are exposed by scheduling shorter shifts at stations that involve a close proximity to EMF sources.

As more research is conducted on the effects of EMFs, answers to current questions are likely to come to light. When they do, workers can expect government organizations and industry associations to act accordingly, either enforcing stricter regulations regarding exposure to EMFs or dispelling the sense of mystery surrounding these invisible fields altogether.

Sources: ELF Radiation
OSHA web site
http://www.osha-slc.gov/SLTC/elfradiation/index.html

EMFs in the Workplace
NIOSH web site
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/emf2.html

Largest Study Finds Evidence of Association Between EMFs and Exposed Worker Suicide
University of North Carolina, March 15, 2000
http://www.unc.edu/news/newsserv/research/savitz2031500.htm