TY - JOUR PY - 2010// TI - Cardiovascular evaluation of electronic control device exposure in law enforcement trainees: a multisite study JO - Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine A1 - VanMeenen, Kirsten M. A1 - Cherniack, Neil S. A1 - Bergen, Michael T. A1 - Gleason, Lisa A. A1 - Teichman, Ronald A1 - Servatius, Richard J. SP - 197 EP - 201 VL - 52 IS - 2 N2 - OBJECTIVE: Occupational health risk with regard to training exercises is a relatively under studied domain for law enforcement officers. One potential health risk is exposure to electronic control devices (ECDs). METHODS: Seven different training facilities in six states participated. Law enforcement trainees (N = 118) were exposed to Taser International's (Scottsdale, AZ) X26 for up to 5 seconds. RESULTS: There was no evidence of cardiac or skeletal muscle breakdown. Exposure did not adversely affect electrocardiogram (ECG) morphology obtained 24 hours after exposure in 99 trainees. For two trainees with preexisting ECG abnormalities, ECG morphology differed in the post-ECD samples. CONCLUSIONS: The results from this large, multisite study suggest that, for most trainees, ECD exposure does not represent a significant health risk. Further investigation is warranted for cardiac vulnerability and potential interactions with ECD exposure.

Language: en

LA - en SN - 1076-2752 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0b013e3181cc58ba ID - ref1 ER -