Effects of electromagnetic field on free-radical processes in steelworkers. Part 1: Magnetic field influence on the antioxidant activity in red blood cells and plasma

The purpose of the study was the evaluation of electromagnetic field (electric field strength of 20 V/m, f=50 Hz and magnetic field strength of 2 A/m, f=50 Hz) effects on the antioxydative activity in steelworkers' red blood cells and plasma. The plasma GSH-Px (EC 1.11.1.9) activity, MDA and ceruloplasmin levels as well as SOD (EC 1.15.1.1.), CAT (EC 1.11.1.6) and GSH-Px (EC 1.11.1.9) in red blood cells were measured. Statistically significant decreases in red blood cells SOD and GSH-Px activities, a CAT activity increase and plasma MDA increase and a ceruloplasmin decrease were found in workers exposed for 3-10 yr and for longer than 10 yr to electromagnetic fields. No statistically significant changes in the parameters evaluated were found among steelworkers employed for shorter than 3 yr. All changes observed among workers exposed to electromagnetic fields result in adaptative responses by activating systems controlling the balance of body oxidative mechanisms.