RF EXPOSURE AND MELATONIN LEVELS IN HEAT-SEALER WORKERS

热封工人的射频暴露和褪黑激素水平

• 批准号: 6024698
• 负责人: MICHAEL G YOST
• 金额: $ 25.11万
• 依托单位: UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 财政年份: 2000
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2000-06-01 至 2002-07-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/6024698
• 关键词: clinical research; electromagnetic radiation; environmental exposure; human subject; industry; melatonin; occupational hazard; occupational health /safety; occupations; radiation dosage

We propose to conduct a comprehensive study of electromagnetic field (EMF) exposures in a large population of radiofrequency (RF) heat sealer operators and monitor changes in melatonin, a proposed biomarker of response to EMF. The working hypothesis of this study is that melatonin levels will decrease in the subjects exposed to RF fields, in a pattern that mimics the dose-dependent decrease in melatonin we have observed previously in utility workers. This study will be the most detailed exposure survey of RF heat sealer workers to date. This study will be the first to use state-of-the-art full-shift personal monitoring to document the diverse exposures to RF and power-frequency EMFs in this worker population. This also will be the first study to examine biomarkers in response to RF fields. This study will make a strong contribution to improving RF exposure assessment using personal dosimetry. We will use task-based exposure assessment with time-activity information to identify tasks that contribute most to exposures. This will help identify important exposure scenarios for possible engineering changes or other controls. We propose to use two novel instruments, one that will characterize the induced foot currents in the operators and the second to measure the electric and magnetic field components. The application of induced body currents for free ranging subjects is a novel approach to RF dosimetry that can extend beyond the present application. Many other RF exposed occupational populations exist that would benefit from improvements in RF exposure assessment, and emerging technologies that use the RF spectrum will increase the potential for worker exposures. Understanding the benefits and limitations of improved personal monitoring methods for RF in a working population will provide new tools for worker exposure assessment in these emerging technologies.

我们建议对大量射频 (RF) 热封机操作员的电磁场 (EMF) 暴露进行全面研究，并监测褪黑激素的变化，褪黑激素是一种拟议的电磁场反应生物标志物。 这项研究的工作假设是，暴露于射频场的受试者中褪黑激素水平会下降，其模式类似于我们之前在公用事业工作人员中观察到的褪黑激素剂量依赖性下降。 这项研究将是迄今为止对射频热封机工人进行的最详细的暴露调查。 这项研究将首次使用最先进的全班个人监测来记录该工人群体对射频和工频电磁场的不同暴露情况。 这也将是第一项检查生物标志物对射频场反应的研究。 这项研究将为利用个人剂量测定改进射频暴露评估做出巨大贡献。 我们将使用基于任务的暴露评估和时间活动信息来识别对暴露影响最大的任务。 这将有助于识别可能的工程变更或其他控制的重要暴露场景。 我们建议使用两种新颖的仪器，一种用于表征操作员中的感应脚电流，另一种用于测量电场和磁场分量。 对自由活动的受试者应用感应体电流是一种新颖的射频剂量测定方法，其范围可以超出目前的应用范围。 许多其他暴露于射频暴露的职业人群将受益于射频暴露评估的改进，而使用射频频谱的新兴技术将增加工人暴露的可能性。了解改进的工作人群射频个人监测方法的优点和局限性将为这些新兴技术中的工人暴露评估提供新工具。