The effect of occupational electromagnetic fields exposure on myocardial infarction risk

Abstract

Ischemic heart disease risk may be influenced by long-term exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) in vulnerable subjects, but epidemiological data is inconsistent. Objectives: We studied whether the long-term occupational exposure to EMF is related to an increased myocardial infarction (MI) risk. Design and Methods: We conducted a prospective case-control study, which involved 1042 MI cases and 2341 controls. EMF exposure in 48 cases and 63 controls was assessed subjectively. The effect of EMF exposure on MI risk was estimated using multivariate logistic regression. Results: After adjustment for age, smoking, blood pressure, body mass index and psychological stress the odds ratios for EMF exposure <10 years was 2.74; 95 % CI 0.62–12.07, for EMF exposure 10–20 years - 2.08; 95 % CI 0.91–4.76 and for EMF exposure >20 years - 2.05; 95 % CI 1.24–3.39. Conclusion: Longterm occupational exposure to EMF may increase the risk of MI. Our crude estimates of EMF exposure might have impact on excess risk because of nondifferential misclassification in assigning exposure.