ASSOCIATIONS OF RADIO FREQUENCY ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD (RF-EMF) WITH PHYSIOLOGY PARAMETERS OF OUTDOOR MALE AIRPORT WORKERS
B. S. SHAMSUL *
Center of Occupational Safety and Health, University Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Y. CHOW KUEY
Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
THANT ZIN
Center of Occupational Safety and Health, University Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Introduction: This cross sectional study was conducted to determine the relationship between radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) with physiological parameters (body core temperature, blood pressure and pulse rate) among male workers in airport.
Materials and Methods: This study was conducted among 47 male workers in airport who made exposed group which was exposed to RF-EMF during working hours and 47 workers from administration office which not exposed to RF-EMF as a comparative group. RF-EMF was measured by meter radiation EMR 300 in electric field (V/m), magnetic field (A/m) and power density (W/m2) at three specific heights (0.5 m, 1.0 m and 1.6 m). Body core temperature was determined by Instant Ear Thermometer Omron model MC-510, blood pressure was
measured using sphygmomanometer and stethoscope and pulse rate were taken according to standard methods. Questionnaires were given to each respondent for their background and other relevant information.
Results: The study showed that there was significant differentiation for all types of current exposure of RF- EMF between the exposed and comparative groups. On the other hand, there was no significant differentiation of physiology parameter between the exposed and comparative group. The correlation test showed that there was significant relationship between the electric field, magnetic field and power density with systolic blood pressure before working and diastolic blood pressure before and after working at three specific heights; there was significant relationship between the magnetic field and pulse rate after working at three specific heights; there was also significant relationship between the power density and pulse rate after working at 1.0m and 1.6m heights. The regression test showed that working location and working duration also influence the physiology parameter.
Conclusions: This study suggests that changes in physiology parameters among workers were not due to exposure of RF-EMF in working areas, but could be influenced by other confounding factors such as working duration, working location, fasting, smoking, drinking coffee and stress.
Keywords: Electromagnetic field, physiology, body temperature, blood pressure, pulse rate