|
|
Calvente, I., Davila-Arias, C., Ocon-Hernandez, O., Perez-Lobato, R., Ramos, R., Artacho-Cordon, F., et al. (2014). Characterization of indoor extremely low frequency and low frequency electromagnetic fields in the INMA-Granada cohort. PLoS One, 9(9), e106666.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To characterize the exposure to electric fields and magnetic fields of non-ionizing radiation in the electromagnetic spectrum (15 Hz to 100 kHz) in the dwellings of children from the Spanish Environment and Childhood-“INMA” population-based birth cohort. METHODOLOGY: The study sample was drawn from the INMA-Granada cohort. Out of 300 boys participating in the 9-10 year follow-up, 123 families agreed to the exposure assessment at home and completed a specific ad hoc questionnaire gathering information on sources of non-ionizing radiation electric and magnetic fields inside the homes and on patterns of use. Long-term indoor measurements were carried out in the living room and bedroom. RESULTS: Survey data showed a low exposure in the children's homes according to reference levels of the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection but with large differences among homes in mean and maximum values. Daytime electrostatic and magnetic fields were below the quantification limit in 78.6% (92 dwellings) and 92.3% (108 dwellings) of houses, with an arithmetic mean value (+/- standard deviation) of 7.31+/-9.32 V/m and 162.30+/-91.16 nT, respectively. Mean magnetic field values were 1.6 lower during the night than the day. Nocturnal electrostatic values were not measured. Exposure levels were influenced by the area of residence (higher values in urban/semi-urban versus rural areas), type of dwelling, age of dwelling, floor of the dwelling, and season. CONCLUSION: Given the greater sensitivity to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields of children and following the precautionary principle, preventive measures are warranted to reduce their exposure.
|
|
|
|
Porsius, J. T., Claassen, L., Smid, T., Woudenberg, F., & Timmermans, D. R. M. (2014). Health responses to a new high-voltage power line route: design of a quasi-experimental prospective field study in the Netherlands. BMC Public Health, 14, 237.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: New high-voltage power transmission lines will be introduced due to increasing demand for reliable and renewable energy supplies. Some residents associate non-specific health complaints with exposure to electromagnetic fields from nearby power lines. This study protocol describes the design and rationale of a prospective study investigating whether the introduction of a new power line triggers health responses in residents living nearby. METHODS/DESIGN: The study is designed as a quasi-experimental field study with two pretests during the construction of a new power line route, and two posttests after it has been put into operation. Key outcomes are self-reported non-specific somatic and cognitive health complaints, and attribution of these health complaints to a power line. The main determinant is proximity to the new power line route. One member of every household (n=2379) residing in close proximity (0-500 meters) to the overhead parts of a new power line route in the Netherlands is invited to participate, as well as a sample of household members (n=2382) residing farther away (500-2000 meters). Multilevel analysis will be employed to test whether an increase in key outcome measures is related to proximity to the line. Longitudinal structural equation models will be applied to test to what extent health responses are mediated by psychosocial health mechanisms and moderated by negative oriented personality traits. DISCUSSION: This is the first study to investigate health responses to a new power line route in a prospective manner. The results will provide theoretical insight into psychosocial mechanisms operating during the introduction of an environmental health risk, and may offer suggestions to policymakers and other stakeholders for minimizing adverse health responses when introducing new high-voltage power lines.
|
|
|
|
Bunch, K. J., Keegan, T. J., Swanson, J., Vincent, T. J., & Murphy, M. F. G. (2014). Residential distance at birth from overhead high-voltage powerlines: childhood cancer risk in Britain 1962-2008. Br J Cancer, 110(5), 1402–1408.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: We extend our previous study of childhood leukaemia and proximity to high-voltage powerlines by including more recent data and cases and controls from Scotland, by considering 132-kV powerlines as well as 275 and 400 kV and by looking at greater distances from the powerlines. METHODS: Case-control study using 53,515 children from the National Registry of Childhood Tumours 1962-2008, matched controls, and calculated distances of mother's address at child's birth to powerlines at 132, 275, and 400 kV in England, Wales and Scotland. RESULTS: Our previous finding of an excess risk for leukaemia at distances out to 600 m declines over time. Relative risk and 95% confidence interval for leukaemia, 0-199 m compared with>1000 m, all voltages: 1960s 4.50 (0.97-20.83), 2000s 0.71 (0.49-1.03), aggregate over whole period 1.12 (0.90-1.38). Increased risk, albeit less strong, may also be present for 132-kV lines. Increased risk does not extend beyond 600 m for lines of any voltage. CONCLUSIONS: A risk declining over time is unlikely to arise from any physical effect of the powerlines and is more likely to be the result of changing population characteristics among those living near powerlines.
Keywords: Adolescent; Case-Control Studies; Child; *Electromagnetic Fields; Environmental Exposure/adverse effects/*statistics & numerical data; Female; Great Britain/epidemiology; Humans; Leukemia/*epidemiology/etiology; Neoplasms/*epidemiology/etiology; Risk
|
|
|
|
Liorni, I., Parazzini, M., Fiocchi, S., Douglas, M., Capstick, M., Gosselin, M. - C., et al. (2014). Dosimetric study of fetal exposure to uniform magnetic fields at 50 Hz. Bioelectromagnetics, 35(8), 580–597.
Abstract: In this paper, fetal exposure to uniform magnetic fields (MF) with different polarizations is quantified at 50 Hz. Numerical computations were performed on high-resolution pregnant models at 3, 7, and 9 months of gestational age (GA), that distinguish a high number of fetal tissues. Fetal whole-body and tissue-specific induced electric fields (E) and current densities (J) were analyzed as a function of both the extremely low frequency magnetic field (ELF-MF) polarization and GA. Additionally, the induced field variation due to changes in fetal position was analyzed by means of two new pregnant models. The uncertainty budget due to the grid resolution was also calculated. Finally, the compliance of the fetal exposure to the ICNIRP Guidelines was checked. A fetal exposure matrix was built at 50 Hz, which could be used to further investigate possible interaction mechanisms between ELF-MF and the associated health risk. Some specific findings were: (1) the induced fields increased with GA; (2) the maxima E were found in skin and fat tissues at each GA; (3) fetal tissue-specific exposure was modified as a function of GA and polarization; (4) the change of the fetal position in the womb significantly modified the induced E in some fetal tissues; (5) the induced fields were in compliance with ICNIRP Guidelines and the results were quite below the permitted threshold limit.
Keywords: ELF magnetic fields; numerical dosimetry; pregnant woman exposure
|
|
|
|
Kulkarni GA, G. W. Z. (2014). Numerical calculation of internal induced fields in humans due to high voltage trasmission lines. Acta Electrotechnica et Informatica, 14(3), 22–27.
|
|
