Biomedical subjects

Alicja Bortkiewicz

Publications and source records attributed to Alicja Bortkiewicz.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Neurovegetative disturbances in workers exposed to 50 Hz electromagnetic fields.

OBJECTIVES: Since the circulatory and nervous systems are composed of electrically excitable tissues, it is plausible that they can be stimulated by electromagnetic fields (EMF). No clinical studies have as yet been carried out to explain whether and how occupational exposure to 50 Hz EMF can influence the neurovegetative regulation of the cardiovascular function. The present project was undertaken to assess the autonomic function in workers occupationally exposed to 50 Hz EMF, by analyzing the heart rate variability. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group comprised 63 workers of switchyard substations, aged 22-67 years (39.2 +/- 10.0 years), and the control group 42 workers of radio link stations, aged 20-68 years (40.7 +/- 9.2 years), employed at workposts free from EMF exposure. The age range and employment duration in both groups did not differ significantly. To assess the neurovegetative regulation of the cardiac function, heart rate variability (HRV) analysis was made based on 512 normal heart beats recorded at rest. The analysis, performed using fast Fourier transformation, concerned the time- and frequency-domain HRV parameters. Power spectrum in the very low (VLF), low (LF) and high (HF) frequency bands was determined. RESULTS: The relative risk of decreased HRV (STD R-R < 27 ms), calculated with use of a logistic regression model, was significantly higher in the exposed group than in controls (OR = 2.8). The VLF power spectrum was significantly higher in the exposed group and correlated with the exposure level. The percentage of subjects with dominant sympathetic function (LF/HF > 1) was significantly higher in the study group than in controls (65% vs. 47%). CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that occupational exposure to 50 Hz EMF could influence the neurovegetative regulation of the cardiovascular system.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Physiological reaction to work in cold microclimate.

OBJECTIVES: In Poland, occupational exposure to cold microclimate is quite common (5.1 workers/1000 occupationally active people). Reports on health effects of this exposure are rather scarce. The aim of the study was to evaluate the physiological reaction in workers occupationally exposed to cold microclimate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Examinations were performed in a group of 102 workers (41 women and 61 men) employed at cold storage units. The mean age in the group was 39.1 +/- 9.9 years and the duration of employment under conditions of cold environment was over 12 years. The study population was divided into four groups, according to microclimate conditions (group I, ambient temperature -26 degrees C; group II, 10-14 degrees C; group III, 18-20 degrees C, control group; and group IV, 0-10 degress C). The workers underwent the following procedures: general medical examinations, cold pressor test, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, and heart rate variability (HRV) analysis (time- and frequency-domain parameters). RESULTS: The results were adjusted for confounding factors (age, smoking and drinking habits). The analysis of HRV parameters did not reveal any significant differences between the study groups. However, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) in the daytime and at night was significantly higher in group IV compared to group II. Mean heart rate (HR) in the daytime and at night and the BP and HR day/night ratio did not differ between the groups. The analysis of BP by gender revealed that in women, systolic BP during the day and at night was significantly higher in group IV than in group II. In the group of workers with hypertension (18 men and 5 women), men reacted to the cold pressor test either by increased or decreased BP while all the women reacted by the increased BP. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicated that in workers exposed to cold microclimate, the physiological reaction was dependent on gender and ambient temperature. Women seemed to be more sensitive to cold stress than men. However, this finding must be further investigated.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

[Subjective symptoms related to mobile phone use--a pilot study].

UNLABELLED: Research findings indicate that the use of mobile phones may lead to a number of symptoms such as headache, impaired concentration and memory, fatigue. In Poland this problem has not as yet been addressed by scientific studies. THE AIM: The present project was undertaken to investigate whether the symptoms of ill health reported by young people may be associated with the use of mobile phone. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A survey using a self-reported questionnaire was conducted among randomly selected university students in Lodz, Central Poland. The questionnaire was designed specifically for this study and contained items on health condition and complaints as well as on frequency of mobile phone use. The number of questionnaires necessary for the study was assessed using the simple random sample method. Out of the 160 copies distributed among the students, 140 (87.5%) were completed. Eventually, 117 questionnaires were subject to analysis; the data from respondents who reported health problems (neck trauma in a car accident, chronic sinusitis and arterial hypertension) were excluded. The following statistical methods were used to analyse questionnaire data: t-Student test for equal and unequal variances or F-Snedecor test for comparing parameters in two study groups, Fisher exact test for comparing frequency, and single and multiple logistic regression models for quantitative risk assessment of negative health outcomes in relation to exposure level and with control for confounders. The subjects were 61 (52.1%) males and 56 females (47.9%). RESULTS: Most of the subjects (62%) assessed their health condition as good, 31% as very good and 7% as fair. 70% complained of headache and 20% of dizziness. Impaired concentration occurred in 56% of respondents. Facial dermatitis was reported by 11%. The most prevalent symptom related to mobile phone use was the thermal sensation within the auricle and behind/around the ear. This was reported by 33 subjects (28.2%). Out of 82 subjects who complained of headache, only 8 (6.8%) related this symptom to mobile phone use. Only 10 subjects of 65 reporting impaired concentration thought it could be associated with their using a mobile phone. The symptoms and health complaints reported by the respondents in no case were the reason for a medical check-up or taking any medication. CONCLUSIONS: The large number of young people complaining of headache and impaired concentration calls for further research to investigate the underlying reasons. It cannot be excluded that one of them may be exposure to EMF emitted by mobile phone. The explanation should be sought through further experimental and epidemiologic studies.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

[Subjective symptoms reported by people living in the vicinity of cellular phone base stations: review].

The problem of health effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF) emitted by cellular phone base stations evokes much interest in view of the fact that people living in their vicinity are fated to continuous exposure to EMF. None of the studies carried out throughout the world have revealed excessive values of standards adopted by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). A questionnaire was used as a study tool. The results of the questionnaire survey reveal that people living in the vicinity of base stations report various complaints mostly of the circulatory system, but also of sleep disturbances, irritability, depression, blurred vision, concentration difficulties, nausea, lack of appetite, headache and vertigo. The performed studies showed the relationship between the incidence of individual symptoms, the level of exposure, and the distance between a residential area and a base station. This association was observed in both groups of persons, those who linked their complaints with the presence of the base station and those who did not notice such a relation. Further studies, clinical and those based on questionnaires, are needed to explain the background of reported complaints.

Cell Phone↗

PubMed2004

[ Effects of electromagnetic fields generated by mobile phones on the nervous system].

The authors present some data on the effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF) generated by mobile phones on the nervous system. The main attention was paid to the usefulness of some neurophysiological methods, such as electroencephalography (EEG), multimodality evoked potentials (MEP), and event related potentials (ERP) in the evaluation of the bioelectrical activity of the brain. The majority of the cited articles underline the difficulties in the evaluation of adverse effects of EMF generated by mobile phones, which can result from their nonspecific influence on biological structures.

Cell Phone↗

PubMed2003

[Biological effects and health risks of electromagnetic fields at levels classified by INCRIP ans admissible among occupationally exposed workers: a study of the Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Lodz].

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of electromagnetic fields (EMF) on the workers' circulatory system, and to find out to what extent the EMF frequency, short-term (maximum values) and chronic (daily and lifetime doses) exposures influence the type of the observed disorders. The gathered data will help to evaluate whether hygiene standards that limit maximum admissible EMF values (e.g., ICNIRP standards) protect against adverse effects of exposure. The study covered workers employed in transformer and distribution stations, medium wave transmitting stations, radio-service and radio and TV multichannel broadcasting stations. In all the cases, exposure levels were considerably lower than those set as admissible according to the ICNIRP standards. Nevertheless changes in the circulatory system and a significant relationship between blood pressure and neurovegetative regulation disorders and exposure parameters were observed. The frequency of changes in the circulatory system was significantly dependent not only on the maximum EMF value, but also on its dose, which indicates that the hygiene standards for EMF cannot be limited only to short-term exposure maximum values, but they should be supplemented with dose-related standards.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

The excretion of 6-hydroxymelatonin sulfate in healthy young men exposed to electromagnetic fields emitted by cellular phone -- an experimental study.

OBJECTIVES: It is quite likely that non-visible electromagnetic fields (EMF) may affect melatonin production. Some studies confirmed this hypothesis and showed that extremely low EMF altered pineal function in animals and humans. Thus, it is reasonable to suppose that EMF emitted by cellular phones may also influence secretion of melatonin. The present study sought to evaluate possible effect of the exposure to EMF emitted by cellular phone on 6-hydroxymelatonin sulfate (6-OHMS) excretion, which reflects melatonin levels in blood. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The examined group consisted of 9 healthy males aged 19-29 years. The experiment was performed under controlled conditions (the light intensity-50 lx till midnight and 0 lx during night). Each person was examined twice: on a day without exposure (control day, C-day) and on a day with continuous exposure (60 min. exposure from cellular phone, frequency 900 MHz, pulsed with 217 Hz, pulse with 576 micros, SAR 1.23 W/kg, E-day). From 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. they used a cellular phone. The subjects did not know which day was E-day, and which was C-day. From 8 p.m. till midnight the subjects listened to music and than they slept till 7 a.m. next day. Urine samples were collected at 7 p.m., at midnight, and at 7 a.m. in the same way in C-day as in E-day. Sample were frozen for later ELISA analysis of 6-OHMS. The 6-OHMS ELISA kit from Immuno-Biological Laboratories (Hamburg) was used for measurement of 6-OHMS. The data were analysed using Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-ranks test for each subject and for the whole group. We compared 6-OHMS level on the E-day and on the C-day separately for 3 time-points - 7 p.m., midnight, 7 a.m. RESULTS: Mean 6-OHMS level in both experiments did not differ significantly for any of the respective time points. Circadian variations of 6-OHMS level were detected in all subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our investigation has demonstrated that EMF emitted by cellular phones has no distinct influence on the melatonin level.

Adult↗