Occupational exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields and the risk of ALS: A systematic review and meta-analysis

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 156-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anke Huss ◽  
Susan Peters ◽  
Roel Vermeulen
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Occupational Exposure ◽  
Magnetic Fields ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Extremely Low Frequency

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, occupational exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields and electric shocks: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamed Jalilian ◽  
Kamran Najafi ◽  
Yahya Khosravi ◽  
Martin Röösli
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Occupational Exposure ◽  
Publication Bias ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Extremely Low Frequency ◽  
Electric Shocks ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis

AbstractExposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) and electric shocks occurs in many workplaces and occupations but it is unclear whether any of these exposures cause Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to explore whether occupational exposure to ELF-MF and/or electric shocks are risk factor for ALS. We searched PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases up to the end of 2019. Pooled risk estimates were calculated using random-effects meta-analysis including exploration of the sources of heterogeneity between studies and publication bias. Twenty-seven publications fulfilled the inclusion criteria. We found a weak, significant, association between occupational exposure to ELF-MF and the risk of ALS (RRPooled estimate: 1.20; 95%CI: 1.05, 1.38) with moderate to high heterogeneity (I2=66.3%) and indication of publication bias (PEgger’s test=0.03). No association was observed between occupational exposure to electric shocks and risk of ALS (RRPooled estimate: 0.97; 95%CI: 0.80, 1.17) with high heterogeneity (I2=80.5%), and little indication for publication bias (PEgger’s test=0.24). The findings indicate that occupational exposure to ELF-MF, but not electric shocks, might be a risk factor for ALS. However, given the moderate to high heterogeneity and potential publication bias, the results should be interpreted with caution.

Occupational Exposure to Electric Shocks and Extremely Low-Frequency Magnetic Fields and Motor Neurone Disease

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grace X Chen ◽  
Andrea’t Mannetje ◽  
Jeroen Douwes ◽  
Leonard H Berg ◽  
Neil Pearce ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Exposure ◽  
Magnetic Fields ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Motor Neurone ◽  
Motor Neurone Disease ◽  
Cumulative Exposure ◽  
Spine Injury ◽  
Extremely Low Frequency ◽  
Electric Shocks

Abstract In a New Zealand population-based case-control study we assessed associations with occupational exposure to electric shocks, extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) and motor neurone disease using job-exposure matrices to assess exposure. Participants were recruited between 2013 and 2016. Associations with ever/never, duration, and cumulative exposure were assessed using logistic regression adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, education, smoking, alcohol consumption, sports, head or spine injury and solvents, and mutually adjusted for the other exposure. All analyses were repeated stratified by sex. An elevated risk was observed for having ever worked in a job with potential for electric shocks (odds ratio (OR)=1.35, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.98, 1.86), with the strongest association for the highest level of exposure (OR=2.01, 95%CI: 1.31, 3.09). Analysis by duration suggested a non-linear association: risk was increased for both short-duration (<3 years) (OR= 4.69, 95%CI: 2.25, 9.77) and long-duration in a job with high level of electric shock exposure (>24 years; OR=1.88; 95%CI: 1.05, 3.36), with less pronounced associations for intermediate durations. No association with ELF-MF was found. Our findings provide support for an association between occupational exposure to electric shocks and motor neurone disease but did not show associations with exposure to work-related ELF-MF.

scholarly journals O4A.6 Occupational exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields and melatonin in male rotating shift workers

2019 ◽  
Vol 76 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. A33.3-A33
Author(s):  
Michelle C Turner ◽  
Esther Gracia-Lavedan ◽  
Gemma Castaño-Vinyals ◽  
Debra J Skene ◽  
Benita Middleton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Exposure ◽  
Magnetic Fields ◽  
Geometric Mean ◽  
Night Shift ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Personal Characteristics ◽  
Peak Time ◽  
Shift Workers ◽  
Extremely Low Frequency ◽  
Melatonin Production

BackgroundOccupational exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) is a suspected cancer risk factor, however, the epidemiological literature is limited and potential biological mechanisms unclear. Night shift work and associated circadian misalignment, leading to decreased melatonin production is also suspected in cancer. It has been suggested that ELF-MF exposure may decrease melatonin production leading to the promotion of cancer development, however previous findings are inconsistent. We assessed ELF-MF exposure and melatonin production in a recent study of male rotating shift workers.MethodsA total of 50 male shift workers rotating in a 3 week night, 3 week evening, and 3 week morning schedule were recruited at a local car manufacturing facility. Personal full-shift measurements of ELF-MF exposure were performed (EMDEX II, 40–800 Hz) and urine samples from all voids over 24 hour collected on two working days (end of 3 week night and end of 3 week morning shifts). Urinary concentrations of 6-sulfatoxymelatonin (aMT6s), the main melatonin metabolite, were measured in all samples (creatinine corrected), with the mesor (24 hour mean) derived based on cosinor models.ResultsArithmetic mean (AM (SD)) and geometric mean (GM (GSD)) ELF-MF levels were 0.05 (0.06) µT and 0.03 (0.02) µT, respectively. Peak production of aMT6s occurred 9 hours later in night compared with morning shifts, though with a similar mesor indicating adaptation. The adjusted mesor varied somewhat by age group and other personal characteristics, and was somewhat lower among those with higher AM and GM ELF-MF levels (i.e. ≥50 th or 75th percentile), with differences ranging from 0.94–1.38 ng/mg creatinine/hour in the morning to 0.96–4.33 in the night shift observed, with some differences significant.ConclusionsOverall, small differences in mean aMT6s levels were observed according to ELF-MF. Workers during the night shift adapted, showing a delay in the peak time of aMT6s production compared to the day shift.

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