COMMUNICATIONS-INDUSTRY
FURNITURE-INDUSTRY

BIOELECTRICAL BRAIN ACTIVITY IN WORKERS EXPOSED TO ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS

The effect of electromagnetic fields on brain activity in workers occupationally exposed to electromagnetic waves of varying frequencies and intensities was studied in workers employed in radio and television stations and in furniture workers. Abnormal electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings were observed in 29% of radio and television station workers exposed to microwaves and in 70% of furniture workers exposed to longer radio waves. Nonspecific symptoms such as excessive irritability, increased perspiration, headaches, dizziness and chest pains were common complaints among the radio and television workers. Headaches, increased perspiration, excessive irritability, dizziness and chest pains were common complaints among furniture workers. Based on these associations, the author suggests that even electromagnetic fields of low intensity may have harmful effects on the central nervous system and that longer (radio waves) wavelengths may be more harmful that shorter (microwaves) wavelengths.

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 724:435-437, 1994. (2 references)

You can do a search of the OSH-DB database and get a list of articles on any topic of interest on our Visitor Search Page. Access to read the articles is limited to OSH-DB subscribers.