An Occupational Exposure Assessment and Melatonin Excretion Level of Electromagnetic Fields(EMFs)

전자파의 직업성 노출평가 및 멜라토닌 분비량에 관한 연구

A pilot study was undertaken to examine the possible health effects of electromagnetic fields(EMFs). The purpose of this study was to investigate of the EMFs exposures of personal environment, 60Hz magnetic fields. An experimental study was performed for six weeks of January-February 1998 to compare changes in melatonin levels in urine of 20 subjects during their normal sleeping hours and each 20 subjects in occupational and non-occupational group measured personal 24-h continual exposure, using EMDEX II (for 40-800Hz, Enertech Consultant, Inc.). An urine samples were collected 3 times a day(before sleep or around 24:00 ; immediately after wake-up ; around noon) for an week from each subjects and analyzed by radioimmunoassay. This study did not significant difference for the subjective average melatonin levels between occupational and nonoccupational groups exposed to electromagnetic fields. The mean personal exposure levels of occupational group were $0.215{\mu}T$, whereas non-occupational group were $0.18{\mu}T$. Occupational group were exposed more highly while at work. Finally, this study would provide significant data for furture study of exposure assessment of magnetic fields. A large scale study concerning more detailed exposure assessment should provide important information on health risk assessment of MFs. Further study should provide information on the contribution of various sources and the relationship between melatonin and immune system activity.