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ELF-MF Exposure, Actual and Perceived, and Associated Health Symptoms: A Case Study of an Office Building in Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel

Author

Listed:
  • Liran Shmuel Raz-Steinkrycer

    (Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, The Herta & Paul Amir Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Haifa, Mount Carmel, Haifa 3498838, Israel)

  • Jonathan Dubnov

    (School of Public Health, Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Mount Carmel, Haifa 3498838, Israel)

  • Stelian Gelberg

    (Noise & Radiation Abatement Department, Israel Ministry of Environmental Protection, 24 Kanfei Nesharim St., Jerusalem 95464, Israel)

  • Peng Jia

    (School of Resource and Environmental Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
    International Institute of Spatial Lifecourse Health (ISLE), Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China)

  • Boris A. Portnov

    (Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, The Herta & Paul Amir Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Haifa, Mount Carmel, Haifa 3498838, Israel)

Abstract

Empirical studies link exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MFs) to several health symptoms. However, it is unclear whether these symptoms are associated with actual or perceived exposure. In this study we attempted to answer this question by studying the health complaints of employees working in a multi-story office building located near a major high-voltage power line. ELF-MF measurements were conducted in the building using a triaxial sensor coil device on all 15 floors. In parallel, questionnaires were administered to evaluate the prevalence of various health symptoms among the employees. Multivariate logistic regressions were used next to quantify the associations between actual and perceived ELF-MF exposure and the employees’ health complaints. The analysis revealed that feelings of weakness, headache, frustration, and worry were associated with both measured and perceived ELF-MF exposure ( p < 0.01), while perceived ELF-MF exposure was also found to be associated with eye pain and irritation (OR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.2–1.6), sleepiness (OR = 1.3, 95% CI = 1.1–1.5), dizziness and ear pain (OR = 1.2, 95% CI = 1.0–1.4). We conclude that high-voltage power lines produce both physiological and psychological effects in nearby workers, and, hence, proximity to such power lines should become a public health issue.

Suggested Citation

  • Liran Shmuel Raz-Steinkrycer & Jonathan Dubnov & Stelian Gelberg & Peng Jia & Boris A. Portnov, 2022. "ELF-MF Exposure, Actual and Perceived, and Associated Health Symptoms: A Case Study of an Office Building in Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-19, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:17:p:11065-:d:906998
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Steven Nordin & Gregory Neely & David Olsson & Monica Sandström, 2014. "Odor and Noise Intolerance in Persons with Self-Reported Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-12, August.
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