• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.146-154
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• 1998

This study was designed to investigate the workers' exposure level to electromagnetic field(EMF) in accordance with the VDT arrangement in the work place and distance from VDT. Author compared the exposure strength of EMF in line group(workers exposed to EMF from both front and back side) and in shielding group(workers exposed to EMF exclusively from front side). The levels of EMF at 30cm and 50cm from front side and at 30cm from back side of VDT were also measured. The result were as follows: 1. Mean distance between a monitor and a worker in shielding group ($47.7{\pm}8.7cm$) significantly longer than that in line group($44.3{\pm}7.2cm$). Strength of EMF in shielding group [$1.3{\pm}0.7V/m$ (electric field) and $18.2{\pm}11.5mA/m$ (magnetic field) were lower than in line group [$1.4{\pm}0.6V/m$ and $26.6{\pm}11.6mA/m$, respectively] at the workers' position. 2. The strength of EMF was decreased with the distance from VDT. The strength at 70cm from VDT was nearly the same as the background strength in the ordinary office rooms. 3. Working distance from 9 inch monitor was significantly shorter than that from 14 inch and wider sized monitors. 4. The strength of EMF in extremely low frequency spectrum of color monitors was higher then that of black and white monitor. 5. Metal coated filters significantly decreased the electric field strength of EMF when earth line was connected. Metallic shield was effectively decreased the EMF strength from VDT, but wooden shield was not. From the above results, line type arrangement of VDT in the work place using metallic shield at the back side of VDT, and metal coated filter to monitor with application of earth line were recommended. It is also recommended to maintain workers position to be 60cm or more distance from monitor and 140cm or more between VDTs for minimizing workers' exposure to EMF.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.721-732
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• 2010

As increasing of electrical device usage, social concerns about the possible effects of 60Hz electromagnetic fields (EMF) on human health have increased. The number of people with self-attributed electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) who complain of subjective symptoms such as headache, insomnia etc. also increased. However, we don't know whether the EHS results from psychological factor or real perception to the electromagnetic field. In this study, we simultaneously investigated physiological changes(heart rate, respiration rate, heart rate variability, alpha and beta waves in EEG), subjective symptoms and perception accuracy to assess origins of subjective symptoms according to the EMF exposure. Experiment consists of real and sham sessions and 60Hz 12.5uT magnetic field was on(real) or off(sham) to 15 EHS and 16 nonEHS. As the results, EMF exposure did not have any effects on physiological parameters or subjective symptoms for both groups. There was also no evidence that EHS group perceived the EMFs correctly than the control group. Therefore, the origins of subjective symptoms is not the 60Hz magnetic field but psychological factors.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.2961-2966
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• 2012

Extremely low frequency electro magnetic fields (EMFs) have been classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. An increased number of chromosomal alterations in peripheral lymphocytes are correlated with elevated incidence of cancer. The aim of the present study was to assess occupationally induced chromosomal damage in EMF workers exposed to low levels of radiation. We used conventional metaphase chromosome aberration (CA) analysis and the micronucleus (MN) assay as biological indicators of non ionizing radiation exposure. In the present study totally 70 subjects were selected including 50 exposed and 20 controls. Informed written consent was obtained from all participants and the study was performed in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and the approval of the local ethical committee. A higher degree of CA and MN was observed in exposed subjects compared to controls, the frequency of CA being significantly enhanced with long years of exposure (P<0.05). Moreover increase in CA and MN with age was noted in both exposed subjects and controls, but was significantly greater in the former. The results of this study demonstrated that a significant induction of cytogenetic damage in peripheral lymphocytes of workers occupationally exposed to EMFs in electric transformer and distribution stations. In conclusion, our findings suggest that EMFs possess genotoxic capability, as measured by CA and MN assays; CA analysis appeared more sensitive than other cytogenetic end-points. It can be concluded that chronic occupational exposure to EMFs may lead to an increased risk of genetic damage among electrical workers.