Epidemiological study (observational study)

Environmental power-frequency magnetic fields and suicide epidem.

By: Perry FS, Reichmanis M, Marino AA, Becker RO

Published in: Health Phys 1981; 41 (2): 267-277

Aim of study (acc. to author)

A study was conducted in the Midlands of England, UK, to determine whether there was a relationship between the act of suicide and the power-frequency magnetic fields at the domicile of the victim. The study is based on the study population of the publication by Reichmanis et al. (1979) with an improved exposure assessment by measuring the magnetic field strengths.

Endpoint/type of risk estimation

suicide and depression: siuzide

Exposure

- power transmission line
- residential

Assessment

measurement: measurements of magnetic field strengths were made at 0.5 m from the front door of the residence at 1 m above the ground, at the same time of the month of the year and the time of day for both groups

Exposure groups

Group	Description
Group 1	magnetic field strength: 0 - 0.019 µT
Group 2	magnetic field strength: 0.020 - 0.039 µT
Group 3	magnetic field strength: 0.040 - 0.059 µT
Group 4	magnetic field strength: 0.060 - 0.079 µT
Group 5	magnetic field strength: 0.080 - 0.099 µT
Group 6	magnetic field strength: 0.100 - 0.119 µT
Group 7	magnetic field strength: 0.120 - 0.139 µT
Group 8	magnetic field strength: 0.140 - 0.159 µT
Group 9	magnetic field strength: 0.160 - 0.179 µT
Group 10	magnetic field strength: 0.180 - 0.199 µT
Group 11	magnetic field strength: ≥ 0.200 µT

Population

Group:
- men
- women
Age: ≥ 15 years
Observation period: 1969 - 1976
Study location: UK (County of Shropshire, the MidStaffordshire Health District, Burntwood, Wolverhampton, Walsall, and Dudley)
Exclusion criteria: residing in the study area for less than 14 days

Study size

Type	Value
Total	651
Evaluable	590

Statistical analysis method:

Chi-square test

Results (acc. to author)

The magnetic field strength measurements ranged from 0.001 to 1.5 µT, with a mean of about 0,080 µT and a median of about 0,040 µT.
Significantly more suicides occurred at locations of high magnetic field strength. This effect could not be ascribed to different housing preferences among suicides as compared to the general population because no differences in geographical distribution or type of housing between the suicide and control addresses were observed.

Study funded by

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), USA
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), USA
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences/National Institute of Health (NIEHS/NIH), USA

Comments on this article

Bonnell JA et al. (1983): Comments on "Environmental power frequency magnetic fields and suicide"
Marino AA et al. (1983): Reply to Comments on "Environmental Powerfrequency Magnetic Fields and Suicide"
Smith RF (1983): Household Magnetic Fields and Suicide
Marino AA et al. (1983): Reply to comments of Robert F. Smith

Beale IL et al. (1997): Psychological effects of chronic exposure to 50 Hz magnetic fields in humans living near extra-high-voltage transmission lines
McMahan S et al. (1994): Depressive symptomatology in women and residential proximity to high-voltage transmission lines
Dowson DI et al. (1988): Overhead high-voltage cables and recurrent headache and depressions
McDowall ME (1986): Mortality of persons resident in the vicinity of electricity transmission facilities
Reichmanis M et al. (1979): Relation between suicide and the electromagnetic field of overhead power lines

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