A Pilot Study Evaluating the Feasibility of Testing for an Acute Impact of Human Exposure to a Power-line Frequency Magnetic Field on Blood Cortisol and Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone.

Numerous studies have been carried out on the potential effects of an extremely low frequency (ELF-0-300 Hz) magnetic field (MF) on human health. However, there is limited data on the effect of a high exposure level to ELF MFs for a prolonged period. Therefore, the objective of this pilot work was to demonstrate the feasibility of a study evaluating the stress hormone concentrations resulting from a 10-min exposure to a 60 Hz MF of several tens of thousands of µT. In this pilot study, human volunteers were thus exposed for the first time to a 60 Hz, 50 mT MF for a duration of 10 min. Stress hormone levels were measured before (once), during (twice) and after (once) this 10-min exposure period. The small sample size (n = 5) did not allow to conduct standard inferential statistical tests and no conclusion regarding the exposure effects can be drawn. However, this study demonstrates the feasibility of using a simple blood testing material in a protocol testing for the effect of a 10-min exposure to a high MF level in healthy human volunteers. © 2022 Bioelectromagnetics Society.

[Long-term medical complications of Holocaust trauma]. / Complications médicales à long terme du traumatisme de la Shoah.

Holocaust survivors are currently confronted with the problems inherent to ageing such as illness, frailty, dependency and isolation. A study was carried out to assess the long-term medical consequences of the Holocaust trauma.

[Special features of care for Holocaust survivors]. / Particularités de la prise en charge des survivants de la Shoah.

As they approach old age, Holocaust survivors (HS) face new challenges, including a decline in their health which can revive the extreme stress they experienced during their childhood or adolescence. HS are sometimes referred to as "problem patients" by the medical and paramedical profession, who do not always realize this extremely painful past. The objective of our work was to assess the difficulties faced by doctors providing HS to optimize their medical care.

Assessment of cortisol secretory pattern in workers chronically exposed to ELF-EMF generated by high voltage transmission lines and substations.

We investigated the effects of extremely-low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs; 50 Hz) on the secretion of cortisol in 14 men (mean age = 38.0 ± 0.9 years) working in extra-high voltage (EHV) substations. The workers dwelt in houses that were close to substations and high-voltage lines. Thus, they had long histories (1-20 years) of long-yerm exposure to ELF-EMFs. Magnetic field strength was recorded using Emdex dosimeters worn by the volunteers day and night for seven days; the one-week geometric mean ranged from 0.1 to 2.6 µT. Blood samples were taken hourly from 20:00 to 08:00 the next morning. Cortisol concentrations and patterns were compared to age-matched, unexposed control subjects whose exposure level was ten times lower. The comparison of the control group (n = 15) and the groups exposed to fields of 0.1-0.3 µT (n = 5) and > 0.3 µT (n = 9), respectively, revealed a significant effect of field intensity on the cortisol secretory pattern. This study strongly suggests that chronic exposure to ELF-EMFs alters the peak-time serum cortisol levels. Studies are required on the effect of this disruption in high-risk populations such as children, elderly people, and patients with cancer.

Acute exposure to 50-Hz magnetic fields increases interleukin-6 in young healthy men.

Some epidemiologic studies have suggested that extremely low frequency magnetic fields might affect human health and, in particular, that the incidence of certain types of cancer might increase among individuals living or working in environments exposed to such fields. This study is part of a broad study we conducted in humans. The study presented here was designed to look for possible effects of acute exposure to 50-Hz magnetic fields (10 µT) on the interleukin 1 beta (IL-1ß), interleukin 2 (IL-2), interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA), and the interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) production. Thirty-two young men (20-30 years old) were divided into two groups (sham-exposed or control group and exposed group) of 16 subjects each. All subjects participated in two 24-h experiments to evaluate the effects of both continuous and intermittent (1 h "off" and 1 h "on" with the field switched "on" and "off" every 15 s) exposure to linearly polarized magnetic fields. The subjects were exposed to the magnetic field from 2300 to 0800 while recumbent. Blood samples were collected during each session at 11:00, 17:00, 22:00, 01:00, 04:00, 06:00, and 08:00. Results showed that exposure to 50-Hz magnetic fields (10 µT) significantly increases IL-6 when subjects were exposed to an intermittent magnetic field. However, no effect has been observed on interleukin IL-1ß, IL-2, IL-1RA, and IL-2R.

Evaluation in humans of ELF-EMF exposure on chromogranin A, a marker of neuroendocrine tumors and stress.

Chromogranin A (CgA), which is a major protein in adrenal chromaffin cells and adrenergic neurons, is a clinically relevant endocrine and neuroendocrine tumor marker including pheochromocytomas, neuroblastomas, and related neurogenic tumors. In this study, we looked at the effect in humans of chronic daily exposure to a 50-Hz magnetic field. We examined in 15 men (38.0 ± 0.9 years) the effects of chronic daily exposure to a 50-Hz magnetic field for 1-20 yrs both at home and at work. EMDEX II dosimeters were used to record magnetic field all day long every 30 s. for 1 week. The weekly geometric mean of the individual exposures ranged from 0.1 to 2.6 µT. Blood samples were taken hourly between 20:00 h and 08:00 h. CgA patterns of exposed subjects were compared to age-matched controls. The results of exposed subjects were compared with those for 15 unexposed men who served as controls and whose individual exposure was ten times lower ranging from 0.004 to 0.092 µT. This work shows that in the control group the serum CgA levels exhibited a nighttime peak with a progressive decline of the serum concentrations and a nadir in the morning. Both the profile and the serum concentrations of CgA, a marker of neuroendocrine tumors and stress, did not appear to be impaired in the subjects chronically exposed over a long period (up to 20 yrs) to magnetic fields though a trend toward lower levels were found at the highest exposure (>0.3 µT). This does not rule out, however, that the potential deleterious risk of ELF-EMF on frail populations such as children and the elderly may be greater at low exposure and should hence be documented, at least for their residential exposure.

Effect of formaldehyde on asthmatic response to inhaled allergen challenge.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to formaldehyde may lead to exacerbation of asthma. OBJECTIVES: Our aim in this study was to investigate whether exposure to a low level (500 microg/m(3)) of formaldehyde enhances inhaled allergen responses. METHODS: Twelve subjects with intermittent asthma and allergy to pollen were exposed, at rest, in a double-blind crossover study to either formaldehyde or purified air for 60 min. The order of exposure to formaldehyde and air-only was randomized, and exposures were separated by 2 weeks. We also performed an allergen inhalation challenge after each exposure. Airway responsiveness to methacholine and lower airway inflammation (induced sputum) were assessed 8 hr after allergen challenge. RESULTS: The median dose of allergen producing a 15% decrease in forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (PD(15)FEV(1)) was 0.80 IR (index of reactivity) after formaldehyde exposure compared with 0.25 IR after air-only exposure (p = 0.06). Formaldehyde exposure did not affect allergen-induced increase in responsiveness to methacholine (p = 0.42). We found no formaldehyde-associated effect on the airway inflammatory response, in particular the eosinophilic inflammatory response, induced by the allergen challenge 8 hr before. CONCLUSION: In this study, exposure to 500 microg/m(3) formaldehyde had no significant deleterious effect on airway allergen responsiveness of patients with intermittent asthma; we found a trend toward a protective effect.

Exposure of children to extremely low frequency magnetic fields in France: Results of the EXPERS study.

The assessment of magnetic field exposure in children is an important point in the context of epidemiological issues. EXPERS is the first study ever carried out measuring personal exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields at a national scale, involving 977 French children with 24 h personal measurements. Descriptive statistical analyses were performed for all the children, and only for children where no alarm clock was identified, as in some cases this requirement of the measurement protocol was not respected. The proportion of children with a 24 h arithmetic mean of ≥0.4 µT was 3.1% when considering all children and 0.8% when excluding alarm clocks. The alarm clocks were the main variable linked to the child exposure measurements. Magnetic field exposure increased when the home was located close to a high voltage power line. However, none of the 0.8% of children living at <125 m to a 225 kV line or <200 m to a 400 kV overhead line had a personal exposure of >0.4 µT. A multiple correspondence analysis showed the difficulty to build a statistical model predicting child exposure. The distribution of child personal exposure was significantly different from the distribution of exposure during sleep, questioning the exposure assessment in some epidemiological studies.

[Evaluation of the effect of magnetic fields on the secretion of melatonin in humans and rats. Circadian study]. / Evaluation de l'effet des champs magnétiques (50 Hz) sur la sécrétion de mélatonine chez l'homme et le rat. Etude circadienne.

The consequences of electromagnetic exposure on human health are receiving increasing scientific attention and have become the subject of a vigorous public debate. In the present study we evaluated the effects of magnetic field on pineal function in man and rat. Two groups of Wistar male rats were exposed to 50-Hz magnetic fields of either 1, 10 or 100 microT. The first group was exposed for 12 hours and the second for 30 days (18 hours per day). Short-term exposure depressed both pineal NAT activity and nocturnal serum melatonin concentration but only with the highest intensity used (100 microT). Long-term exposure to a magnetic field significantly depressed the nighttime peak of serum melatonin concentration and pineal NAT activity with 10 and 100 microT. Our results show that sinusoidal magnetic fields altered the production of melatonin through an inhibition of pineal NAT activity. Both duration and intensity of exposure played an important role in this effect. In the second step of this study, thirty-two young men (20-30 years old) were divided into two groups (control group, i.e., sham-exposed: 16 subjects; exposed group: 16 subjects). The subjects were exposed to the magnetic field from 23 h to 08 h (i.e. for 9 h) while lying down. In one experiment the exposure was continuous, in the second one, the magnetic field was intermittent. No significant differences were observed between sham-exposed (control) and exposed men for serum melatonin and 6-sulfatoxymelatonin. In our last and more recent study, we looked for the circadian rhythm of melatonin in 15 men exposed chronically and daily for a period of 1-20 years, in the workplace and at home, to a 50 Hz (exposure 0.1 to > 0.3 microT) magnetic field. The results are compared to those for 15 unexposed men who served as controls. Blood samples were taken hourly from 2000 to 0800. Nighttime urine was also collected and analyzed. This work shows that subjects exposed over a long period (up to 20 years) and on a daily basis to magnetic fields experienced no changes in their plasma melatonin level, their urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin level, or the circadian rhythm of melatonin. It thus clearly rebuts the "melatonin hypothesis" that a decrease in plasma melatonin concentration--or a disruption in its secretion--explains the occurrence of, clinical disorders or cancers possibly related to magnetic fields.

Outcome of occupational electrical injuries among French electric company workers: a retrospective report of 311 cases, 1996-2005.

This study reviewed records of all electrical incidents involving work-related injury to employees Electricité de France (EDF) from 1996 through 2005 and analysed data for 311 incidents. The results are compared with 1231 electrical incidents that occurred during 1970-1979 and 996 incidents during 1980-1989. A total of 311 electrical incidents were observed. The medical consequences of electrical incident remain severe and particularly, the current fatality rate (3.2%) is similar to that recorded in the 1980s (2.7%) and 1970s (3.3%). Among individuals with non-fatal incidents, any change has occurred in the prevalence of permanent functional sequelae (23.6% in the 1970s vs. 27.6% in the 1980s and 32.5% currently). An increase in the incidence of neuropsychiatric sequelae (5.4% in the 1980s vs. 13% currently) has been observed and they are now the second most common type of sequelae after those directly related to burns. Among the neurological sequelae, peripheral nervous system disorders are the most common, as observed in the 1980s. Since the definition of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has changed between the two periods, we can only report that the current prevalence of PTSD is 7.6%. This study emphasises the need for specific management of neurological and psychological impairments after electrical injuries, including especially early recognition and initiation of effective treatment.

Repeated nitrogen dioxide exposures and eosinophilic airway inflammation in asthmatics: a randomized crossover study.

BACKGROUND: Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), a ubiquitous atmospheric pollutant, may enhance the asthmatic response to allergens through eosinophilic activation in the airways. However, the effect of NO2 on inflammation without allergen exposure is poorly studied. OBJECTIVES: We investigated whether repeated peaks of NO2, at various realistic concentrations, induce changes in airway inflammation in asthmatics. METHODS: Nineteen nonsmokers with asthma were exposed at rest in a double-blind, crossover study, in randomized order, to 200 ppb NO2, 600 ppb NO2, or clean air once for 30 min on day 1 and twice for 30 min on day 2. The three series of exposures were separated by 2 weeks. The inflammatory response in sputum was measured 6 hr (day 1), 32 hr (day 2), and 48 hr (day 3) after the first exposure, and compared with baseline values measured twice 10-30 days before the first exposure. RESULTS: Compared with baseline measurements, the percentage of eosinophils in sputum increased by 57% after exposure to 600 ppb NO2 (p = 0.003) but did not change significantly after exposure to 200 ppb. The slope of the association between the percentage of eosinophils and NO2 exposure level was significant (p = 0.04). Eosinophil cationic protein in sputum was highly correlated with eosinophil count and increased significantly after exposure to 600 ppb NO2 (p = 0.001). Lung function, which was assessed daily, was not affected by NO2 exposure. CONCLUSIONS: We observed that repeated peak exposures of NO2 performed without allergen exposure were associated with airway eosinophilic inflammation in asthmatics in a dose-related manner.

[French general practitioners and electromagnetic fields]. / Les médecins généralistes français face aux champs électromagnétiques.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the perception of risk of general practitioners (GPs) about electromagnetic fields (EMF), their sources of information, as well as their patients' level of concern. METHODS: Six hundred French GPs were selected according to the quotas method. They were asked to answer 24 items via an electronic questionnaire using the Computer-Assisted Web Interviewing (CAWI) method. RESULTS: The GPs know the main EMF sources: cell phone towers, cell phones, power-lines, microwave ovens and WiFi networks. Patients mostly complain or worry about the first three sources and ask their GP for information about these. GPs themselves search for information in the mainstream media rather than in the usual scientific and medical press. As a consequence, their knowledge about potential risks of EMF is deemed rather crude. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The GPs are sensitive to environmental concerns, particularly regarding EMF exposure. However, according to the results analysis, they do not have the same approach because of an obvious lack of mastery in a complex and poorly informed situation. A serious educational effort is essential and would be welcomed by practitioners, who are aware of their responsibilities in terms of counseling, diagnosis and care.

Long-term (up to 20 years) effects of 50-Hz magnetic field exposure on immune system and hematological parameters in healthy men.

OBJECTIVES: The relationship between exposure to 50-Hz magnetic fields and human health is of increasing interest since associations have been found in brain cancer in adults and childhood leukemia. In this study we investigate the possible chronic (up to 20 years) effects of exposure to magnetic fields in humans. DESIGN AND METHODS: We examined the nocturnal profiles of red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelets, mean platelet volume, total white blood cells, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils, neutrophils, Ig (Immunoglobulin) A, IgM, IgG, CD (cluster of differentiation) 3, CD4, CD8, natural killer cells, B cells, total CD28, CD8+ CD28+, activated T cells, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6, and IL-2 receptor, in 15 men exposed chronically and daily for a period of 1-20 years, in the workplace and at home, to a 50-Hz magnetic field. The weekly geometric mean of individual exposures ranged from 0.1 to 2.6 µT. The results are compared to those of 15 unexposed men age-matched, with the same synchronization and physical activity that served as controls (individual exposures ranged from 0.004 to 0.092 µT). Blood samples were taken hourly from 20:00 h to 08:00 h. RESULTS: Exposure over a long period and on a daily basis to magnetic fields resulted in no changes in the levels or patterns of hematological and immune system variables. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that a long-term exposure to 50-Hz magnetic fields does not affect the hematological and immune system functions or their profile in healthy men, at least for the variables studied, and suggest that magnetic fields have no cumulative effects on these functions.

Long-term (up to 20 years) effects of 50-Hz magnetic field exposure on blood chemistry parameters in healthy men.

OBJECTIVES: The potential effects of a chronic exposure to magnetic fields on blood chemistry in humanswere tested. DESIGN: We examined the nocturnal profiles and levels of the following blood parameters: electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus), nonprotein nitrogenous compounds (uric acid, urea, creatinine), and glucose, in 15 men (38.0 ± 0.9 years) exposed chronically and daily for a period of 1-20 years, in the workplace and at home, to a 50-Hz magnetic field in search of any cumulative effect from those chronic conditions of exposure. The weekly geometric mean of individual exposures ranged from 0.1 to 2.6 µT. The results are compared to those obtained in our control group: 15 unexposed men of similar age (39.4 ± 1.2 years), with the same synchronization and physical activity that served as controls (individual exposures ranged from 0.004 to 0.092 µT). Blood samples were taken hourly from 20:00 h to 08:00 h. RESULTS: This work shows that subjects exposed over a long period (up to 20 years) and on a daily basis to magnetic fields experienced significant changes in serum sodium, chloride, phosphorus and glucose where an effect for field-hour interaction was noted for exposures greater than 0.3 µT. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that long-term exposure to 50-Hzmagnetic fields (exposure>0.3 µT) in healthy men could induce some biological modifications of certain blood parameters, though their clinical relevance needs further investigation.

Magnetic fields and the melatonin hypothesis: a study of workers chronically exposed to 50-Hz magnetic fields.

Because epidemiological studies report clinical disorders (mainly neurobehavioral alterations and/or cancer) that may be related to diminished melatonin secretion or to changes in its circadian rhythm in subjects living or working in environments exposed to magnetic fields, research on the effects of these fields in humans is particularly important. In this study, we examine the circadian rhythm of melatonin in 15 men exposed chronically and daily for a period of 1-20 yr, in the workplace and at home, to a 50-Hz magnetic field in search of any cumulative effect from those chronic conditions of exposure. The weekly geometric mean of individual exposures ranged from 0.1 to 2.6 microT. The results are compared with those for 15 unexposed men who served as controls (individual exposures ranged from 0.004 to 0.092 microT). Blood samples were taken hourly from 2000 to 0800. Nighttime urine was also collected and analyzed. This work shows that subjects exposed over a long period (up to 20 yr) and on a daily basis to magnetic fields experienced no changes in their plasma melatonin level, their urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin level, or the circadian rhythm of melatonin. Our data strongly suggest that magnetic fields do not have cumulative effects on melatonin secretion in humans and thus clearly rebut the "melatonin hypothesis" that a decrease in plasma melatonin concentration (or a disruption in its secretion) explains the occurrence of clinical disorders or cancers possibly related to magnetic fields.