Exposure to electromagnetic fields and suicide among electric utility workers: a nested case-control study.
OBJECTIVE
To examine mortality from suicide in relation to estimated exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields in a cohort of 138,905 male electric utility workers.


METHODS
Case-control sampling, which included 536 deaths from suicide and 5, 348 eligible controls. Exposure was classified based on work in the most common jobs with increased exposure to magnetic fields and indices of cumulative exposure to magnetic fields based on a measurement survey.


RESULTS
Suicide mortality was increased relative to work in exposed jobs and with indices of exposure to magnetic fields. Increased odds ratios (ORs) were found for years of employment as an electrician (OR, 2.18; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.25-3.80) or line worker (OR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.18-2.14), whereas a decreased OR was found for power plant operators (OR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.33-1.40). A dose-response gradient with exposure to magnetic fields was found for exposure in the previous year, with a mortality OR of 1.70 (95% CI, 1.00-2.90) in the highest exposure category. Stronger associations, with ORs in the range of 2.12 to 3.62, were found for men younger than 50 years.


CONCLUSIONS
These data provide evidence for an association between occupational electromagnetic fields and suicide that warrants further evaluation. A plausible mechanism related to melatonin and depression provides a direction for additional laboratory research and epidemiologic evaluation.
van Wijngaarden
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E
Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina, School of Public Health CB 7400, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7400, USA.
Savitz
D A
DA
Kleckner
R C
RC
Cai
J
J
Loomis
D
D
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015986:Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009790:Occupations; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
D008550:Melatonin