Occupational Exposure to Steady Magnetic Fields and Mental Health of workers at the Copper Electrolysis Unit

Abstract

<p><strong>Background: </strong>There are a few studies about the health effects of steady magnetic fields. This study was performed in order to evaluate some of the mental effects of exposure to steady magnetic fields in the copper electrolysis unit.<strong></strong></p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This cross-sectional descriptive and analytical study was performed at the electrolysis unit of a Copper Complex in Kerman Province in 2013. The populations under study were ninety workers exposed to steady magnetic fields chosen as the exposed group and 90 workers without exposure chosen from the concentration unit and similar to the exposure group in regard to working conditions. The intensity of steady magnetic field was measured in different parts of the saloon and in the head, waist and feet position. Measuring mental signs was performed by the General Health Questionnaire GHQ-28. Data analysis was performed through SPSS19 and the Mann-Whitney U, one way ANOVA, Chi-square test and Regression analysis was used.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In this study the mean intensity of the steady magnetic field in the exposed group was 2.5 mT. The mean rank of mental health in the exposed group was 102.04 and in the unexposed group was 78.96 and the difference was statistically significant (p=0.003). Also there were statistical differences between the two groups in anxiety and sleep disorder (p=0.001) and depression (p=0.007) dimensions.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>It appears that exposure to static magnetic fields can cause psychological complications. Therefore, more research is recommended to improve the safety of workers exposed to these fields.<strong></strong></p>

Investigating the effects of exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields on job burnout syndrome and the severity of depression; the role of oxidative stress

“…35 In a recent study, a significant increase in depression and anxiety was reported among employees in the copper electrolysis unit exposed to static magnetic fields. 36 Further studies have been conducted on behavioral disorders such as depression among laboratory animals. The exposure intensity seems to be one of the most important variables affecting the occurrence of such behaviors.…”

“…They attributed this issue to changes in melatonin secretion 35 . In a recent study, a significant increase in depression and anxiety was reported among employees in the copper electrolysis unit exposed to static magnetic fields 36 …”

Health effects of exposure to static magnetic field − a review of literature

“…Dla przykładu Ghotbi i wsp. [33] stwierdzili, że stan zdrowia psychicznego pracowników narażonych na SPM (100 osób) o średniej wartości 2,5 mT był istotnie statystycznie gorszy niż pracowników nieeksponowanych. Zdiagnozowano u nich istotnie wyższy poziom lęków, zaburzeń snu (p = 0,001) i depresji (p = 0,007).…”