Effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields on hematologic and immunologic parameters in welders.
BACKGROUND
Electric arc welding is known to cause considerable exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields. Although some studies of exposure to magnetic fields and epidemiologic studies have included groups of welders, typically little information is available concerning the hematologic and immunologic effects of ELF electromagnetic fields on welders. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to investigate whether or not extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF EMF) emitted from electric arc welding affect some hematologic and immunologic parameters of welders.


METHODS
The study was carried out on 16 male welders and 14 healthy males between 20 and 40 years of age from the same geographic area and with similar life styles. The following hematologic and immunologic parameters were measured in both groups: red blood cells (RBC); hemoglobin (Hgb); hematocrit (Hct); platelets (Plt); total white blood cells (WBC); neutrophils; lymphocytes; eosinophils; and CD3, CD4, CD8, and CD4/CD8.


RESULTS
Some of the hematologic and immunologic parameters under investigation were similar in both groups. Although T lymphocyte surface antigens, such as levels of CD4 and CD8(,) were found to be lower in the welders than in the control subjects (p <0.001, p <0.05), the hematocrit levels of the welders were found to be higher than those of the control subjects (p <0.05). However, the differences observed were not clinically significant. ELF electromagnetic field intensities in the welding areas varied between 0.10 and 0.25 mT.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that ELF electromagnetic fields do not affect the hematologic and immunologic parameters of welders.
Dasdag
Suleyman
S
Department of Biophysics, Medical School of Dicle University, Diyarbakir, Turkey. dasdag@dicle.edu.tr
Sert
Cemil
C
Akdag
Zulkuf
Z
Batun
Sabri
S
D000328:Adult; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000528:radiation effects; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000528:radiation effects; D006400:Hematocrit; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D014896:Welding
D006454:Hemoglobins