Journal of Occupational
Health and Epidemiology
Rafsanjan university Of medical sciences
Volume 8, Issue 2 (Spring 2019)
J Occup Health Epidemiol 2019, 8(2): 102-108 |
Back to browse issues page
Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
Akal D, Ilhan M N. Exposure to electromagnetic fields at two call centers in Turkey, 2015. J Occup Health Epidemiol 2019; 8 (2) :102-108
URL: http://johe.rums.ac.ir/article-1-309-en.html
URL: http://johe.rums.ac.ir/article-1-309-en.html
Related article in
Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Similar articles
1- Vice President at Guidance and Councelling Board, Ministry of Industry and Technology, Ankara, Turkey , dilsadakal@gmail.com
2- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey.
2- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey.
Article history
Received: 2018/05/21
Accepted: 2023/07/2
ePublished: 2019/04/15
Accepted: 2023/07/2
ePublished: 2019/04/15
Subject:
Occupational Health
Abstract: (3795 Views)
Background: This study aims to evaluate the negative health impacts of exposure to electromagnetic field and to prepare a risk map of two selected call centers.
Materials and Methods: Two call centers whose electromagnetic field values were measured by calibrated low high and point frequency measurement device. The measurements were performed by following the EN 50492 Standards. 178 employees from the first location and 153 employees from the second location responded to the questionnaire. The results of the measurements and questionnaires were evaluated by using version 23 of the IBM SPSS and version 17 of Modeler.
Results: The measured values for the electromagnetic field were between 371 and 32 V/m. In the 95% confidence interval, the p value for the relationship between electromagnetic field exposure and health complaints was found to be 0,089. It has been found that exposure to electromagnetic fields negatively affects health and causes complaints such as headaches, abdominal pains, eye problems, musculoskeletal problems, and indirectly affects the psychology of employees.
Conclusion: The measured values and the responses to the questionnairre were found to be in line with other similar studies in the literature. Based on the results of this survey, a general risk map of the workplace in terms of health and safety was prepared. Some suggestions for dealing with the health problems associated with exposure to electromagnetic fields are provided. This study may be expanded by adding other ambient measurements such as noise, air quality, and be including more call centers.
Materials and Methods: Two call centers whose electromagnetic field values were measured by calibrated low high and point frequency measurement device. The measurements were performed by following the EN 50492 Standards. 178 employees from the first location and 153 employees from the second location responded to the questionnaire. The results of the measurements and questionnaires were evaluated by using version 23 of the IBM SPSS and version 17 of Modeler.
Results: The measured values for the electromagnetic field were between 371 and 32 V/m. In the 95% confidence interval, the p value for the relationship between electromagnetic field exposure and health complaints was found to be 0,089. It has been found that exposure to electromagnetic fields negatively affects health and causes complaints such as headaches, abdominal pains, eye problems, musculoskeletal problems, and indirectly affects the psychology of employees.
Conclusion: The measured values and the responses to the questionnairre were found to be in line with other similar studies in the literature. Based on the results of this survey, a general risk map of the workplace in terms of health and safety was prepared. Some suggestions for dealing with the health problems associated with exposure to electromagnetic fields are provided. This study may be expanded by adding other ambient measurements such as noise, air quality, and be including more call centers.
Keywords: Call Center [MeSH], Electromagnetic Field [MeSH], Occupational Health [MeSH], Safety [MeSH]
References
1. Waterhouse J, Buckley P, Edwards B, Reilly T. Measurement of, and some reasons for, differences in eating habits between night and day workers. Chronobiol Int 2003; 20(6):1075-92. [DOI] [PMID]
2. Kaplan SB. Health Effects of Electromagnetic Fields: The State of the Science and Government Response. The Electricity Journal 2000; 13(1):25-33. [DOI]
3. Riley K. Tracing EMFs in Building Wiring and Grounding: A Practical Guide for Reducing AC Magnetic Fields Produced by Building Wiring and Grounding Practices. 1st ed. Tucson, Arizona, United States: Magnetic Sciences International; 1995.
4. Cosar S. The biologic agents in the common working places and the prevention of their negative effects. [MSc thesis]. Ankara: Ministry of Labour and Social Security Work Health and Safety; 2012.
5. Sood M, Devi A, Azlinawati, Daher AM, Razali S, Nawawi H, et al. Menses and Stress Related Changes in Female Medical Students. Procedia Soc Behav Sci 2012; 36:123-7. [DOI]
6. Kesavachandran C, Rastogi SK, Das M, Khan AM. Working conditions and health among employees at information technology-enabled services: a review of current evidence. Indian J Med Sci 2006; 60(7):300-7. [PMID]
7. Tuten TL, Neidermeyer PE. Performance, satisfaction and turnover in call centers: The effects of stress and optimism. J Bus Res 2004; 57(1):26-34. [DOI]
8. Fido A, Ghali A. Detrimental effects of variable work shifts on quality of sleep, general health and work performance. Med Princ Pract 2008; 17(6):453-7. [DOI] [PMID]
9. Barger RL Jr, Culver-Schultz C. Implementation of a 24-hour radiation safety call center: one ınstitution’s ınitial experience. J Am Coll Radiol 2011; 8(5):362-5. [DOI] [PMID]
10. Juster RP, Lupien S. A sex-and gender-based analysis of allostatic load and physical complaints. Gend Med 2012; 9(6);511-23. [DOI] [PMID]
11. Crawford JO, Laiou E, Spurgeon A, McMillan G. Musculoskeletal disorders within the telecommunications sector - A systematic review. Int J Ind Ergon 2008; 38(1):56-72. [DOI]
12. Ming Z, Zaproudina N. Computer use related upper limb musculoskeletal (ComRULM) disorders. Pathophysiology 2003; 9(3):155-60. [DOI] [PMID]
13. Sprigg ChA, Smith PhR, Jackson PR. Psychosocial risk factors in call centers: An evaluation of work design and well-being. Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England: University of Sheffield, Health and Safety Laboratory and UMIST for the Health and Safety Executive; 2003. 92 p. Report No.: Research Report 169. [Report]
14. Morikawa Y, Nakagawa H, Miura K, Soyama Y, Ishizaki M, Kido T, et al. Shift work and the risk of diabetes mellitus among Japanese male factory workers. Scand J Work Environ Health 2005; 31(3):179-83. [DOI] [PMID]
15. Slusky DA, Does M, Metayer C, Mezei G, Selvin S, Buffler PA. Potential role of selection bias in the association between childhood leukemia and residential magnetic fields exposure: a population-based assessment. Cancer Epidemiol 2014; 38(3):307-13. [DOI] [PMID] [PMCID]
16. Sato K, Hayashino Y, Yamazaki S, Takegami M, Ono R, Otani K, et al. Headache prevalence and long working hours: the role of physical inactivity. Public Health 2012; 126(7):587-93. [DOI] [PMID]
17. Baltrėnas P, Buckus R, Vasarevicius S. Modelling of the Computer Classroom Electromagnetic Field. Elektronika ir Elektrotechnika 2011; 109(3):75-80. [Article]
18. İlhan MN. Removal of Electromagnetic Field Map in a Medical Faculty Hospital and Determination of Health Effects on Health Workers. [PhD thesis]. Ankara: Ankara University, Health Sciences Institute; 2008.
19. Rameshbabu A, Reddy DM, Fleming R. Correlates of negative physical health in call center shift workers. Appl Ergon 2013; 44(3):350-4. [DOI] [PubMed]
20. House JS. Work stress and social support (Addison-Wesley series on occupational stress). 1st ed. Boston, United States: Addison-Wesley; 1981.
Send email to the article author
| Rights and permissions | |
 |
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |
