1 research outputs found
Oxidative stress, melatonin level, and sleep insufficiency among electronic equipment repairers
Background: Exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic field
(ELF-EMF), especially among electronic equipment repairers may induce
oxidative stress and affect sleep quality. Aims: This study was carried
out to (a) investigate the effect of exposure to ELF-EMF on the
malondialdehyde (MDA) levels among electronic equipment repairers as an
indicator of oxidative stress; and melatonin hormone levels; and (b) to
study the prevalence of sleep insufficiency among electronic equipment
repairers exposed to ELF-EMF. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional
study was carried out on 50 electronic equipment repairers at high risk
of exposure to ELF-EMF, and a matched control group at lower risk of
exposure to ELF-EMF. All the participants completed a self-administered
questionnaire about medical and occupational histories; and sleep
sufficiency. The plasma melatonin and MDA levels of the study subjects
were assessed. Results: The mean level of serum melatonin in the
electronic equipment repairers was lower than that of the controls (P
< 0.01). Moreover, serum MDA mean level of the electronic equipment
repairers was higher than that of the controls (P < 0.01). Sleep
insufficiency was more frequent among electronic equipment repairers
(18.00%) in comparison with the controls (8.70%) (P > 0.05).
Conclusion: The electronic equipment repairers, exposed to ELF-EMF, are
at a risk of oxidative stress and sleep insufficiency, which could be
explained by lower plasma melatonin levels and higher MDA levels.
Health education about the hazards of ELF-EMF, shortening of exposure
time per day, and taking antioxidant vitamins should be done to
ameliorate the oxidative effect of EMF on those workers