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10:16
Human Circadian Phenotyping and Diurnal Performance Testing in the Real World
Published on: April 7, 2020
Geomagnetic activity and human melatonin metabolite excretion
James B Burch1, John S Reif, Michael G Yost
1Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA. burch@gwm.sc.edu
Neuroscience Letters
|May 13, 2008
Summary
Geomagnetic activity may influence human health by altering melatonin production. Higher geomagnetic activity correlated with lower levels of the melatonin metabolite 6-hydroxymelatonin sulfate (6-OHMS) in workers.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Chronobiology
- Neuroendocrinology
Background:
- Geomagnetic activity is associated with psychological, neurological, and cardiovascular health outcomes.
- Altered melatonin production is a proposed mechanism linking geomagnetic activity to these health effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between geomagnetic activity and overnight excretion of 6-hydroxymelatonin sulfate (6-OHMS).
- To examine the combined effects of geomagnetic activity with 60Hz magnetic fields or ambient light exposure on 6-OHMS excretion.
Main Methods:
- Evaluated 153 male electric utility workers.
- Measured overnight urinary 6-OHMS/creatinine (6-OHMS/cr) concentrations.
- Correlated 6-OHMS/cr levels with geomagnetic activity data (USGS, Boulder, CO).
Main Results:
- Elevated geomagnetic activity was associated with lower adjusted mean nocturnal 6-OHMS/cr concentrations and reduced total overnight 6-OHMS excretion.
- The strongest associations between geomagnetic activity and 6-OHMS excretion occurred 15-33 hours prior to urine sample collection.
Conclusions:
- Geomagnetic activity may influence human melatonin regulation.
- These findings suggest geomagnetic activity could play a role in entraining human melatonin rhythms.
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