Impact of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields exposure on sleep quality and mental health in a Tunisian power plant: a cross-sectional study
Keywords
In this cross-sectional study of 77 exposed power plant employees and 88 non-exposed administrative workers, the median ELF-EMF level at the power plant was 5.86 μT (range 0.1-40.34 μT). Poor sleep quality, depression, anxiety, and stress were more frequent i…
Study snapshot
Abstract
Introduction: Extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) are ubiquitous in our daily life. They may have an impact not only on physical health but also on mental health. Objectives: To assess the impact of occupational exposure to the ELF-EMFs on sleep quality, depression, anxiety and stress among workers at the Tunisian Electricity and Gas Company (TEGC). Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. The study population included two groups: an exposed group (EG), consisting of power plant employees, and a non-exposed group (NEG), consisting of administrative workers. Exposure to ELF-EMFs was assessed via spot measurements using a magnetometer. Sleep quality, depression, anxiety and stress were assessed by the French versions of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Results: Seventy-seven participants in the EG and 88 participants in the NEG were included in the study. The median value of the ELF-EMFs was 5.86 μT at the power plant [min 0.1, max 40.34 μT]. According to the PSQI global score, 64.9% of the EG had poor sleep quality versus 29.5% of the NEG. Depression was registered in 24.7% of EG and in 3.4% of NEG. Anxiety was noted in 23.4% of the EG and in none of the NEG. Stress was found in 46.8% of the EG and none of the NEG. After multivariate analysis, ELF-EMF exposure was significantly associated with poor sleep quality and depression. Conclusion: The present study revealed that ELF-EMFs can affect sleep and mental health. Further studies are needed to explain the mechanism involved.
AI evidence extraction
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Main findings
In this cross-sectional study of 77 exposed power plant employees and 88 non-exposed administrative workers, the median ELF-EMF level at the power plant was 5.86 μT (range 0.1-40.34 μT). Poor sleep quality, depression, anxiety, and stress were more frequent in the exposed group, and multivariate analysis found ELF-EMF exposure was significantly associated with poor sleep quality and depression.
Outcomes measured
- sleep quality
- depression
- anxiety
- stress
Limitations
- Cross-sectional study design
- Exposure assessed via spot measurements
View raw extracted JSON
{
"study_type": "cross_sectional",
"exposure": {
"band": "ELF",
"source": "occupational",
"frequency_mhz": null,
"sar_wkg": null,
"duration": null
},
"population": "Workers at the Tunisian Electricity and Gas Company, including power plant employees and administrative workers",
"sample_size": 165,
"outcomes": [
"sleep quality",
"depression",
"anxiety",
"stress"
],
"main_findings": "In this cross-sectional study of 77 exposed power plant employees and 88 non-exposed administrative workers, the median ELF-EMF level at the power plant was 5.86 μT (range 0.1-40.34 μT). Poor sleep quality, depression, anxiety, and stress were more frequent in the exposed group, and multivariate analysis found ELF-EMF exposure was significantly associated with poor sleep quality and depression.",
"effect_direction": "harm",
"limitations": [
"Cross-sectional study design",
"Exposure assessed via spot measurements"
],
"evidence_strength": "low",
"confidence": 0.96,
"peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
"keywords": [
"ELF-EMF",
"extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields",
"occupational exposure",
"power plant",
"sleep quality",
"depression",
"anxiety",
"stress",
"PSQI",
"DASS-21",
"Tunisia"
],
"suggested_hubs": [
{
"slug": "occupational-exposure",
"weight": 0.98,
"reason": "Study assesses occupational ELF-EMF exposure among power plant workers."
}
]
}AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.
Identifiers and source
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1755918
PubMed: 42109279