[Effect of exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields on liver function of workers].
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effect of exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF EMFs) on the liver function of workers.


METHODS
The workers in a factory were selected as subjects, and the recent physical examination data of these workers were collected. The workers aged 20∼40 years and with more than 2 years' working experience were included for analysis; considering the intensity of electromagnetic field, the workers exposed to less electromagnetic radiation were assigned to exposure I group (n = 123), those exposed to more electromagnetic radiation to exposure II group (n = 229), and those not exposed to electromagnetic radiation to control group (n = 212). There were no significant differences in sex, age, height, and body weight between the three groups (P > 0.05). Physical examination, including measurements of direct bilirubin (DBil), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), and albumin, was performed in a health examination center. The intensity of electromagnetic field was measured by EFA-300 power frequency electromagnetic field analyzer, and the intensity of noise by AWA5610D integrating sound level meter.


RESULTS
The intensities of electric field and the magnetic field in exposure II group were significantly higher than those in the exposure I group. The levels of ALT, ALP, AST, GGT and albumin in exposure II group were significantly higher than those in exposure I group and control group. However, the level of direct bilirubin in exposure II group was significantly lower than that in exposure I group and control group.


CONCLUSIONS
Occupational exposure to ELF EMFs may affect human liver function.
School of Public Health of Jilin University, Jilin 130021, China.
Xin
X
Liu
Long-yu
LY
Zhao
Hui-ling
HL
Chen
Cong
C
Liu
Xiao-dong
XD
Liu
Shu-mei
SM
Ma
D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000097:blood; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D055815:Young Adult
D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D001663:Bilirubin