Ambulatory versus occasional blood pressure measurement in workers exposed to electromagnetic fields

We have undertaken the study in order to evaluate the blood pressure in workers exposed to electromagnetic fields (EMF), using occasional measurement (OM), and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABP). The examinations have been carried out in 71 workers exposed to 0.738-1.503 MHz (RF) and 40 workers exposed to 150-170 MHz (R-S). The control, non exposed group were 42 workers of Radio Link Stations (RLS). The workers had performed: medical examination, resting and 24h ECG, OM and ABP. ABP was performed during work and leisure time activities using Medilog ABP. Increased blood pressure in OM was found in 20% workers from RF, in 23% from R-S and in 38% from RLS. Analysis of ABP has shown that the average value of systolic and diastolic blood pressure for exposed and non-exposed groups were within limits considered as normal. However in 5% from RF, in 20 % from R-S and 11% from RLS were exceeded upper limits of normal range. The differences between groups R-S vs RLS were statistically significant. Only in group R-S the correlation between OM and ABP methods was found. Our data indicated, that in workers exposed to EMIT OM is insufficient and should be accompanied by ABP.