Journal of Environmental Health Sciences (한국환경보건학회지)

Korean Society of Environmental Health (한국환경보건학회)
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Health Status Evaluation Based on Questionnaire SF-36 Among Residents Exposed and Non-exposed to Extremely Low Frequency-electric and Magnetic Fields (ELF-EMFs)

설문조사에 근거한 전자파 발생원 주변 주민과 비주변 주민의 건강수준 평가

  • Jeon, Hyung Jin (Korea Environment Institute, Division of Environmental Information Research) ;
  • Kim, Yoon Shin (Institute of Environmental and Industrial Medicine, Hanyang University) ;
  • Yoon, Jeong Ho (Korea Environment Institute, Division of Environmental Information Research) ;
  • Cho, Nam Wook (Korea Environment Institute, Division of Environmental Information Research) ;
  • Son, Seoung Woo (Korea Environment Institute, Division of Environmental Information Research)
  • 전형진 (한국환경정책평가연구원) ;
  • 김윤신 (한양대학교 환경 및 산업의학연구소) ;
  • 윤정호 (한국환경정책평가연구원) ;
  • 조남욱 (한국환경정책평가연구원) ;
  • 손승우 (한국환경정책평가연구원)
  • Received : 2014.09.03
  • Accepted : 2014.10.22
  • Published : 2014.10.31
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Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study is to compare the health status of residents who were exposed to sources of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) in the living environment and those who were not exposed to such a source of ELF-EMFs through a survey designed to appraise the residents' health levels. Method: Aimed at 251 residents exposed to a source of ELF-EMFs and 278 residents not exposed to a source, the survey was conducted to investigate the health status of the residents on the basis of questionnaire SF-36. Result: The health status scores of residents exposed to ELF-EMFs turned out to be lower than those of their counterparts. In terms of self-reported symptoms related to health and sleep quality, residents exposed to ELF-EMFs were found to have a higher complaint rate of self-reported symptoms such as dizziness, depression, and fatigue. Regarding sleep disorders, residents exposed to ELF-EMFs appeared to have a slightly higher complaint rate of sleep disorders compared to non-exposed residents. Conclusion: If a region is to be exposed to a source of ELF-EMFs, a more proactive policy for reducing such exposure is advised. In addition, it is necessary to better understand problems of residents by emplacing an ELF-EMFs risk information delivery system and building an efficient communication system for voluntary participation during the construction phase.

Keywords

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