STUDY OF THE SECRETION OF MELATONIN AND STRESS HORMONES IN OPERATORS FROM BROADCASTING AND TV STATIONS EXPOSED TO RADIOFREQUENCY (RF) ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION (EMR)

Abstract

exposure to low level radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (EMR) from GSM was not found to rise changes in melatonin secretion,\rbut there are no data on the effect of higher radiofrequency intensities, as they usually occur in the occupational environment.\rThe excretion of 6- sulphatoxymelatonin (aMT6s), the main melatonin metabolite, is considered a good indicator of rhythmic\rmelatonin production. The aim of the investigation was to study the effect of radiofrequency EMR on aMT6s and stress hormones\rexcretion rates in communication operators during fast-rotating extended shifts. The study comprised 36 male operators as\rfollows: 12 broadcasting station (BC) operators (6-25 MHz), 12 TV station operators (66.5 – 900 MHz) and 12 satellite (SAT)\rstation operators (5.850 – 6.425 GHz). The EMR exposure was assessed measuring the intensities and flux densities of the electromagnetic\rfield on the typical work places of the stuff according to the duty records. The intensities in the short wave range were\rtransformed into flux densities for equivalent plane electromagnetic field.