ID Number		2437
Study Type		Human / Provocation
Model		To delineate the effect of chronic electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure from radar on plasma melatonin and serotonin levels in occupationally exposed military personnel in India.
Details		AUTHORS' ABSTRACT: Singh, Mani and Kapoor 2015 (IEEE #5844): Objective: To delineate the effect of chronic electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure from radar on plasma melatonin and serotonin levels in occupationally exposed military personnel. Subjects and methods: A total of 166 male military personnel participated in the study out of which only 155 joined for blood draw. They were divided into three sets: Control group (n = 68), exposure group I (n = 40) exposed to 812 GHz and exposure group II (n = 58) working with radar at 12.518 GHz frequency. The three groups were further split into two groups according to their years of service (up to 10 years and > 10 years) in order to investigate the effect of years of exposure from radar. Melatonin and serotonin levels were estimated by enzyme immunoassay in fasting blood samples collected from 06:0007:00 h. EMF measurements were recorded at different locations using Satimo EME Guard Personal Exposure Meter and Narda Broad Band Field Meter. Results: The group I exposed population registered a minor though not significant decrease in plasma melatonin concentration while the other group II exposed population registered statistically significant decline in melatonin concentration when compared with controls. Highly significant increase in plasma serotonin levels was found in exposure group II when compared to control whereas marginal non-significant rise was also registered in exposure group I in comparison to control. Exposure in terms of length of service up to 10 years did not produce any significant effect in the indoleamine levels in both the exposure groups when they were compared with their respective control groups. Whereas, length of service greater than 10 years was observed to decrease and increase respectively the melatonin and serotonin concentration significantly in exposure group II but not in exposure group I. However, correlation test did not yield any significant association between years of service and melatonin or serotonin levels respectively in both the exposure sets I and II. No significant association was observed between melatonin and serotonin levels as well. Conclusion: The study showed the EMF ability to influence plasma melatonin and serotonin concentration in radar workers, significantly in 12.518 GHz range with service period greater than 10 years. AUTHORS' ABSTRACT: Singh and Kapoor 2015 (IEEE #6014): Workers in certain occupations such as the military may be exposed to technical radiofrequency radiation exposure above current limits, which may pose a health risk. The present investigation intended to find the effect of chronic electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure from radar on plasma catecholamines in the military workforce. In the study, 166 male personnel selected randomly were categorized into three groups: control (n¼68), exposure group-I (X-band, 8 12GHz, n¼40), and exposure group-II (Ku-band, 12.518GHz, n¼58). The three clusters were further divided into two groups according to their years of service (YOS) (up to 9 years and 10 years) to study the effect of years of radar exposure. Enzyme immunoassay was employed to assess catecholamine concentrations. EMF levels were recorded at different occupational distances from radar. Significant adrenaline diminution was registered in exposure group-II with no significant difference in exposure group-I when both groups were weighed against control. Nor-adrenaline and dopamine levels did not vary significantly in both exposure groups when compared to controls. Exposure in terms of YOS also did not yield any significant alteration in any of the catecholamines and in any of the exposure groups when compared with their respective control groups. The shift from baseline catecholamine values due to stress has immense significance for health and well-being. Their continual alteration may prove harmful in due course. Suitable follow-up studies are needed to further strengthen these preliminary observations and for now, exposures should be limited as much as possible with essential safeguards.
Findings		Effects
Status		Completed With Publication
Principal Investigator		Defence Instit of Physiol & Allied Sci, Delhi, Ind
Funding Agency		?????
Country		INDIA
References		Singh, S et al. International Journal of Radiation Biology., (2015) 91:426-434 Singh, S et al. Bioelectromagnetics., (2015) 36:444-450
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