Study type: Epidemiological study (observational study)

Residential exposure to magnetic fields and acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children epidem.

Published in: N Engl J Med 1997; 337 (1): 1-7

Aim of study (acc. to author)

The possible association between residential exposure to magnetic fields generated by nearby power lines and childhood leukemia was investigated in a case-control study in the USA.

Further details

Exposure to magnetic fields was assessed by 24-hour measurement as well by calculation of wire-code categories according to Wertheimer-Leeper classification and Kaune-Savitz classification.

Endpoint/type of risk estimation

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

Exposure

Assessment

Exposure groups

Group Description
Reference group 1 time weighted average summary levels of magnetic fields: < 0.065 µT
Group 2 time weighted average summary levels of magnetic fields: 0.065 - 0.099 µT
Group 3 time weighted average summary levels of magnetic fields: 0.100 - 0.199 µT
Group 4 time weighted average summary levels of magnetic fields: ≥ 0.200 µT
Group 5 time weighted average summary levels of magnetic fields: 0.200 - 0.299 µT
Group 6 time weighted average summary levels of magnetic fields: 0.300 - 0.399 µT
Group 7 time weighted average summary levels of magnetic fields: 0.400 - 0.499 µT
Group 8 time weighted average summary levels of magnetic fields: ≥ 0.500 µT
Reference group 9 Wertheimer-Leeper: underground power lines (UG) + very-low-current configuration (VLCC)
Group 10 Wertheimer-Leeper: ordinary low-current configuration (OLCC)
Group 11 Wertheimer-Leeper: ordinary high-current configuration (OHCC)
Group 12 Wertheimer-Leeper: very-high-current configuration (VHCC)
Reference group 13 Kaune-Savitz: low wire code (LWC)
Group 14 Kaune-Savitz: medium wire code (MWC)
Group 15 Kaune-Savitz: high wire code (HWC)

Population

Case group

Control group

Study size

Cases Controls
Eligible 1,914 1,987
Participants 767 725
Evaluable 638 620
Other:

wire-code categories for 416 cases and 416 controls

Statistical analysis method: (adjustment: )

Results (acc. to author)

No significant excess risk for acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children associated with time-weighted average summary residential magnetic fields of 0.200 µT or above was found. No significant dose-response relationships were observed. The results provide little evidence that residential exposure to magnetic fields is related to the risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children.

Study funded by

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