Study type: Epidemiological study (observational study)

Risk of hematological malignancies associated with magnetic fields exposure from power lines: a case-control study in two municipalities of northern Italy epidem.

Published in: Environ Health 2010; 9: 16

Aim of study (acc. to author)

A case-control study was conducted in Italy to investigate the association between magnetic fields exposure generated by power lines and the risk of leukemia and other hematological cancers in children.

Further details

Children were classified as exposed if they have been living with a magnetic field exposure of more than 0.1 µT for more than 6 months.

Endpoint/type of risk estimation

Type of risk estimation: (relative risk (RR))

Exposure

Assessment

Exposure groups

Group Description
Reference group 1 magnetic field exposure: 0.1 - < 0.2 µT
Group 2 magnetic field exposure: 0.2 - < 0.4 µT
Group 3 magnetic field exposure: ≥ 0.4 µT
Reference group 4 magnetic field exposure: < 0.1 µT
Group 5 magnetic field exposure: ≥ 0.1 µT
Group 6 magnetic field exposure: ≥ 0.4 µT

Population

Case group

Control group

Study size

Cases Controls
Eligible 64 256
Statistical analysis method: (adjustment: )

Results (acc. to author)

2 cases and 5 controls have been exposed to magnetic fields from power lines (1 case and 3 controls with magnetic field intensity of 0.1 µT up to 0.2 µT; 1 case and 2 controls with 0.4 µT or more).
A statistically nonsignificant increased risk for childhood leukemia was observed for antecedent residence with a magnetic field exposure above 0.1 µT (RR 6.7, CI 0.6-78.3) and above 0.4 µT (RR 2.1, CI 0.2-26.2). A statistically nonsignificant increased risk for acute lymphoblastic leukemia was found for children with an exposure above 0.1 µT (RR 5.3, CI 0.7-43.5). The authors concluded that the results appeared to support the hypothesis that magnetic field exposure increases the risk of childhood leukemia.

Limitations (acc. to author)

The findings are based on low numbers of exposed cases and controls.

Study funded by

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