OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine electromagnetic fields, electric fields, humidity, temperature, and illumination levels in hairdresser salons located in the downtown area of Aydin, Turkey. Also some health problems which could be related with the occupational factors are evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was carried out in 30 hairdresser salons, all of which had been registered within the past 5 years. Electric and electromagnetic fields, illumination, temperature and humidity measurements were determined for hairdryers, hood hairdryers and depilatory heaters in the participating salons. A brief questionnaire about characteristics and the health status of hairdressers and workplace conditions was prepared and administered to the hairdressers at the salons. RESULTS: The mean electric fields of hairdryers, hood hairdryers and depilatory heaters were determined as 518 +/- 74, 1,123 +/- 199, and 648 +/- 146 in V/m, respectively, at 5 cm from the surface of each device. These appliances generate mean electromagnetic fields in excess of 0.25 microT at 5 cm: hand-held hairdryers, 5.0 +/- 0.7 microT; hood hairdryers, 1.6 +/- 0.3 microT; and depilatory heaters 1.9 +/- 0.6 microT. Total average of cumulative electric and electromagnetic fields, measured at a distance of 90 cm from the surface of these three devices was calculated to be 98.8 V/m and 0.5 microT, in the participating salons. CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary study suggests that physical environmental factors in the salons may be contributing to the health problems of the hairdressers, and the electrical equipment in the workplaces may have cumulative electric and electromagnetic effects.
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine electromagnetic fields, electric fields, humidity, temperature, and illumination levels in hairdresser salons located in the downtown area of Aydin, Turkey. Also some health problems which could be related with the occupational factors are evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was carried out in 30 hairdresser salons, all of which had been registered within the past 5 years. Electric and electromagnetic fields, illumination, temperature and humidity measurements were determined for hairdryers, hood hairdryers and depilatory heaters in the participating salons. A brief questionnaire about characteristics and the health status of hairdressers and workplace conditions was prepared and administered to the hairdressers at the salons. RESULTS: The mean electric fields of hairdryers, hood hairdryers and depilatory heaters were determined as 518 +/- 74, 1,123 +/- 199, and 648 +/- 146 in V/m, respectively, at 5 cm from the surface of each device. These appliances generate mean electromagnetic fields in excess of 0.25 microT at 5 cm: hand-held hairdryers, 5.0 +/- 0.7 microT; hood hairdryers, 1.6 +/- 0.3 microT; and depilatory heaters 1.9 +/- 0.6 microT. Total average of cumulative electric and electromagnetic fields, measured at a distance of 90 cm from the surface of these three devices was calculated to be 98.8 V/m and 0.5 microT, in the participating salons. CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary study suggests that physical environmental factors in the salons may be contributing to the health problems of the hairdressers, and the electrical equipment in the workplaces may have cumulative electric and electromagnetic effects.
Authors: A Ahlbom; N Day; M Feychting; E Roman; J Skinner; J Dockerty; M Linet; M McBride; J Michaelis; J H Olsen; T Tynes; P K Verkasalo Journal: Br J Cancer Date: 2000-09 Impact factor: 7.640
Authors: Alexandra Tsigonia; Argyro Lagoudi; Stavroula Chandrinou; Athena Linos; Nikos Evlogias; Evangelos C Alexopoulos Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2010-01-26 Impact factor: 3.390