Title of article :
Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields of High Voltage Overhead Power Lines and Female Infertility
Author/Authors :
Esmailzadeh, Sedigheh Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol , Agajani Delavar Mouloud Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol , Aleyassin, Ashraf Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Shariati Hospital - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Gholamian, Asghar Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering - Department of Electrical Engineering - Babol Noushirvani University of Technology, Babol , Ahmadi, Amirmasoud Biomedical Engineering Department - Faculty of Electrical Engineering - Iran University of Science and Technology (IUST), Tehran
Abstract :
Background: Living in the vicinity of high voltage power lines has brought about a range of
health woes, but the effect of residential exposure to electromagnetic fields from the power
lines on female fertility has not been explored yet.
Objective: To test the hypothesis if residential proximity to high voltage power lines could be
associated with the increased risk of female infertility.
Methods: In a case-control study, 462 women with confirmed diagnosis of unexplained
infertility or behavioral and environmental factors were assessed between February 2014 and
December 2016. Control group comprised of 471 persons with no history of infertility selected
using randomized-digit dialing from the numbers registered in a birth registry between 2014
and 2016. The nearest linear distance from high voltage power lines to the participants' residence
of cases and controls was measured using a Geographical Information System (GIS)
and Google Earth aerial evaluation for high voltage power lines (240–400 kV).
Results: 112 (14.1%) houses were within 500 meters from a high voltage power line.
Women living within 500 meters of the lines (OR 4.14, 95% CI 2.61 to 6.57) and 500–1000
meters of the line (OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.05 to 2.47) carried a significantly higher risk of infertility
than those women living more than 1000 meters away from the power lines. After adjusting
for confounding factors, women living within 500 meters of the lines carried a higher risk
(aOR 4.44, 95% CI 2.77 to 7.11) of infertility compared with women living more than 1000
meters of the lines.
Conclusion: The current safety guidelines for electromagnetic fields exposure seems to be
not adequate for protecting people from the hazardous effects of the field.
Keywords :
Reproductive health , Environment , Risk assessment , Risk factors , Electric power supplies , Geographic information systems
Journal title :
International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (IJOEM)