The Effect of Electromagnetic Waves on the General Health of Zahedan Gas Power Plant Personnel

Abstract Introduction: With ever improving technology and increasing the use of high voltage power in industrial environments, concerns about the destructive effects of electromagnetic waves on human health have increased. Thus the present study aims to evaluate the effects of electromagnetic waves on the general health of Zahedan gas power plant personnel. Materials & Method: The present case-control study investigated the health of people at one point of time and their amount of exposure to electromagnetic waves at the same time. The data collection tool in this study was 28-item general health questionnaire (GHQ-28). After measuring the electromagnetic waves at distances of 1, 1.5 and 3 meters at high voltage power substations and data extraction, the data were entered to SPSS software and analyzed by descriptive statistics, t-test and chi-square. Results: In this study, the age and experience variables were not significantly different in two groups (p> 0.05). The highest magnetic fields in high voltage power substations was at a distance of 1 meter in the substation 607 (28/1 mG) and in precision tool work units (7.03 mG). The results showed that the depressive and general health symptoms were significantly different between the exposed and unexposed groups (p = 0.04), however the difference was not significant in terms of physical performance, anxiety and social performance (p> 0.05). Conclusion: although the level of exposure was lower than standard level determined in Iran, the significant difference of the general health and depression between the two groups, explains the necessity of conducting more studies in this regard. Also by reducing the exposure time and increasing people’s awareness it is possible to take important steps to reduce exposure and complications.