Study type: Epidemiological study (observational study)

Childhood leukemia and personal monitoring of residential exposures to electric and magnetic fields in Ontario, Canada epidem.

Published in: Cancer Causes Control 1999; 10 (3): 233-243

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To investigate the association between the risk of childhood leukemia and residential exposures to electric and magnetic fields, part of the Canadian case-control study (publication 1053) was conducted with improved exposure assessment method.

Further details

Exposures to electric and magnetic fields were measured by a personal monitoring device worn by the child for at least two days. Further exposure assessment was obtained by point-in-time measurements in rooms used by the child and by wire-code classification.

Endpoint/type of risk estimation

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

Exposure

Assessment

Exposure groups

Group Description
Reference group 1 average magnetic flux density measured by personal monitoring: < 0.03 µT
Group 2 average magnetic flux density measured by personal monitoring: 0.03 - < 0.07 µT
Group 3 average magnetic flux density measured by personal monitoring: 0.07 - < 0.14 µT
Group 4 average magnetic flux density measured by personal monitoring: ≥ 0.14 µT
Reference group 5 average electric field strength measured by personal monitoring: < 5.6 V/m
Group 6 average electric field strength measured by personal monitoring: 5.6 - < 7.9 V/m
Group 7 average electric field strength measured by personal monitoring: 7.9 - < 11.6 V/m
Group 8 average electric field strength measured by personal monitoring: ≥ 11.6 V/m
Reference group 9 Wertheimer-Leeper code: very low current configuration (VLCC)
Group 10 Wertheimer-Leeper code: ordinary low-current configuration (OLCC)
Group 11 Wertheimer-Leeper code: ordinary and very high-current configuration (OHCC + VHCC)
Group 12 Wertheimer-Leeper code: apartments
Reference group 13 Kaune-Savitz code: low
Group 14 Kaune-Savitz code: medium
Group 15 Kaune-Savitz code: high
Group 16 Kaune-Savitz code: apartments

Population

Case group

Control group

Study size

Cases Controls
Participants 88 133
Other:

76 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Statistical analysis method: (adjustment: )

Results (acc. to author)

An association between magnetic field exposure as measured with the personal monitor and increased risk of childhood leukemia was found, particularly in younger children. No association for residential proximity to power lines with high current configuration and an increased risk of leukemia was observed. Electric field exposure measured by personal monitoring was not associated with increased risk of childhood leukemia.
The findings relating to magnetic field exposures measured by personal monitoring supported an association with the risk of childhood leukemia.

Study funded by

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