title: A cross-sectional study on oxidative stress in workers exposed to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate whether extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) exposure could induce oxidative stress in workers performing tour-inspection near transformers and distribution power lines.
  
  
  METHODS
  Occupational short-term 'spot' measurements were performed. In total, 310 inspection workers exposed to ELF-EMF were selected as the exposure group and 300 logistical staff as the control group. Plasma total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity were tested by the colorimetric method. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was tested using the xanthine oxidase method. Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration was determined with a thiobarbituric acid assay. The micronucleus cell frequency (MCF) and Micronuclei frequency (MN) were also tested for genotoxic assessment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant changes of enzyme activities or MDA concentration were found. Neither the frequency of micronucleus lymphocytes nor micronuclei frequency changes were statistically significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Continual ELF-EMF exposure might not induce oxidative stress in workers from a power supply bureau.
authors: Electric Power Research Institute of Guangdong Power Grid Corporation , Guangzhou , China.
authors: Li
authors: L
authors: Li
authors: De-Fu
authors: DF
authors: Xiong
authors: Jia-Wen
authors: JW
authors: Liu
authors: Zi-Xin
authors: ZX
authors: Li
authors: Guang-Cheng
authors: GC
authors: Zeng
authors: Hua-Liang
authors: HL
authors: Li
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D011211:Electric Power Supplies; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000528:radiation effects*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers
keywords: ELF-EMF; genotoxicity; occupational exposure; oxidative stress