The long term effects of occupational electromagnetic fields exposure on peripheral blood indexes in workers of aluminum processing factory of Arak

The effect of electromagnetic fields on human health and especially the risk of carcinogenesis have been comprehensively studied. However, the vast majority of findings of these studies were controversial. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effects of electromagnetic fields on the hematological determinants in individuals who exposed to these fields during long-term period. This was a prospective study carried out in an aluminum processing factory in Arak, Iran. First, the magnetic strength of the field was measured about 25-32 mTesla. Subsequently, 200 workers from the exposed group (case) and 200 workers from non-exposed group (control) were chosen from the same factory with age and sex match. Both groups were examined and followed up using physical exam, data gathering sheet and CBC during two consecutive years. Using SPSS, the data were analyzed and P values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. There was no difference between mean age or sex of the two groups studied. Means of hematological determinants in the exposed group were more than those of the non-exposed group in the cases of neutrophiles, red blood cells (RBC), haemoglobine and hematocrite during two consecutive years. Also, the means of monocytes, RBC, Hb and HCT were statistically different between the two groups during this period (p<0.05). However, no case of malignancy, anemia, polycytemia or coagulopathy was detected in the two groups. Although there was statistically significant difference between the two groups, all the blood indices were in the normal range in both groups and no pathological abnormality was detected in their hemalopoietic system. Conclusively, to determine the hematological disorders in exposed workers, more comprehensive studies during long-term period may be required