Biological effects on flight personnel from occupational exposure to
electromagnetic fields – epidemiologic, clinical, and morphofunctional assessment
Scherbatykh I., M.D.1,2, Dolzhanov A., M.D., PhD 2, Goev D., M.D., Dr. Med. Sci.3
School of Public Health, State University of New York at Albany, Institute for Health and
the Environment, USA; 2 State Medical Academy, Center of Experimental Medicine and Life
Security of Voronezh section IAELPS, Russia; 3 Moscow State Scientific Research Institute,
Russia.
1
Context: The problems of safety for air and space professionals are often determined by
protection of a human organism against the negative effects of the professional activity
and/or environment. For the last four decades biological effects of electromagnetic radiation
on humans have been systematically investigated; however possible harmful effects of
occupational exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) on the health status of flight crew
have rarely been studied, especially in chronic conditions and at different field strengths.
Objective: To ascertain and analyze the relationship between health outcomes and
exposure to electromagnetic fields using clinical, morphological, and epidemiologic data,
obtained from a sample of military pilots and supporting personnel.
Design,
setting,
and
participants:
The
study
consisted
of
two
parts:
epidemiological/clinical assessment and biological modeling. The first step included complex
clinical estimation of the health conditions of an exposed group (600 pilots) and a nonexposed group (270 technical workers), accomplished by subjective estimation of health
status via anonymous mail surveys and computer testing, retrospective analysis of
morbidity and mortality, physiological reactions, hematological tests, neurological and
physical examinations. The second part was based on biological modeling of occupational
exposure to EMF on laboratory animals (whose age and timing parameters of exposure were
mathematically adjusted). Morphological and biochemical analysis was primarily focused on
reactions of central nervous (CNS) and haematogenic (HS) systems.
Results: Retrospective analysis of morbidity and mortality showed an elevated incidence of
chronic conditions (mainly of respiratory and nervous systems) and increased mortality from
aircraft accidents among the exposed population. Some physiological findings included
alterations in sensory perception and cognitive changes. Altered plasticity was observed in
cell populations of the HS, while analysis of the CNS showed development of integrative
changes including reactive, compensatory, and destructive processes, the severity of which
were dependent on the duration of exposure and energy density of EMF.
Conclusions: The health of flight personnel appears to be at increased risk for certain
diseases and conditions. Occupational EMF exerts both stimulatory and inhibitory doserelated effects on different physiological and morphological cellular parameters. However,
both occupational exposures and well-established non-occupational risk factors may
contribute to this increased risk. To better control for confounding factors future studies
should compare risks within cohorts by flight routes, work history, and exposure to other
flight factors (such as circadian dysrhythmia, reduced atmospheric pressure, hypoxia, etc.).
Ethical Issue: Since the cohort was composed of military personnel on active service, the
primary ethical issues raised in the study were assuring voluntary participation and
confidentiality of information. Discussion and solutions to these problems will be presented
during the poster presentation.