Study type: Epidemiological study (observational study)

Power-frequency electric and magnetic fields and risk of childhood leukemia in Canada epidem.

Published in: Am J Epidemiol 1999; 149 (9): 831-842

Aim of study (acc. to author)

The possible association between exposure to power-frequency electric and magnetic fields and the risk of childhood leukemia was investigated in a case-control study in Canada.

Endpoint/type of risk estimation

Type of risk estimation: (odds ratio (OR))

Exposure

Assessment

Exposure groups

Group Description
Reference group 1 time-weighted average of measured magnetic field: < 0.08 µT
Group 2 time-weighted average of measured magnetic field: 0.08 - < 0.15 µT
Group 3 time-weighted average of measured magnetic field: 0.15 - < 0.27 µT
Group 4 time-weighted average of measured magnetic field: 0.27 - < 1.61 µT
Reference group 5 time-weighted average of measured magnetic field: < 0.2 µT
Group 6 time-weighted average of measured magnetic field: ≥ 0.2 µT
Reference group 7 Wertheimer-Leeper code: underground
Group 8 Wertheimer-Leeper code: very low
Group 9 Wertheimer-Leeper code: ordinary low
Group 10 Wertheimer-Leeper code: ordinary high
Group 11 Wertheimer-Leeper code: very high
Reference group 12 Kaune-Savitz code: low
Group 13 Kaune-Savitz code: medium
Group 14 Kaune-Savitz code: high
Reference group 15 time-weighted average of measured electric field: < 12.2 V/m
Group 16 time-weighted average of measured electric field: 12.2 - < 17.2 V/m
Group 17 time-weighted average of measured electric field: 17.2 - < 24.6 V/m
Group 18 time-weighted average of measured electric field: 24.6 - < 64.7 V/m
Reference group 19 time-weighted average of measured electric field: < 20 V/m
Group 20 time-weighted average of measured electric field: ≥ 20 V/m

Population

Case group

Control group

Study size

Cases Controls
Eligible 445 526
Participants 399 399
Participation rate 90 % 76 %
Other:

88 % of the cases had acute lymphatic leukemia

Statistical analysis method: (adjustment: )

Results (acc. to author)

No increased risk for childhood leukemia and magnetic and electric fields was found, regardless of the kind of exposure assessment. A non-significantly increased risk of acute lymphatic leukemia was observed with very high wiring configurations among residences of subjects 2 years before diagnosis.
The findings provide little support for an association between power-frequency electric and magnetic fields and the risk of childhood leukemia.

Study funded by

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