Epidemiological study (observational study)

Living near overhead high voltage transmission power lines as a risk factor for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a case-control study epidem.

By: Sohrabi MR, Tarjoman T, Abadi A, Yavari P

Published in: Asian Pac J Cancer Prev 2010; 11 (2): 423-427

Aim of study (acc. to author)

A case-control study was conducted in Iran to investigate whether living near power transmission lines is associated with an increased risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Endpoint/type of risk estimation

childhood leukemia: acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Type of risk estimation:

incidence

(odds ratio (OR))

Exposure

Assessment

list: information on power lines provided by National Grid Transco
questionnaire: place(s) of residence during three years before diagnosis
calculation: shortest distance to any kind of the overhead power lines (123 kV, 230 kV and 400 kV)

Exposure groups

Group	Description
Group 1	distance of residence to power line: 0 - 599 m
Group 2	distance of residence to power line: 600 - 1199 m
Group 3	distance of residence to power line: 1200 - 1799 m
Group 4	distance of residence to power line:1800 - 2399 m
Group 5	distance of residence to power line: ≥ 2400 m

Population

Group:
- children
Age: 0–18 years
Observation period: January 2009 - May 2009
Study location: Iran (Tehran)

Case group

Characteristics: acute lymphoblastic leukemia, diagnosed during the last 2 years before interview; living in Tehran for at least 2 years before diagnosis
Data source: 4 referral hospitals for childhood leukemia in Tehran

Control group

patients selected from dialysis ward and orthopedic emergencies of the same hospitals
Selection:
- hospital-based
Matching:
- sex
- age
- case:control = 1:1
Exclusion criteria: malignant or hematologic disease

Study size

	Cases	Controls
Participants	300	300

Statistical analysis method:

logistic regression
Chi-square test
t-test

Results (acc. to author)

Children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia were living significantly closer to power lines than the control group (P<0.001). More than half of the cases were exposed to two or three power lines (P<0.02).
A statistically significant increased risk for acute lymphoblastic leukemia was observed in children who were living in a distance of less than 600 m to power lines (OR 2.61, CI 1.73-3.94). Separate analysis for each type of power lines showed an increased risk estimate for 123 kV (OR 9.93, CI 3.47-28.5), for 230 kV (OR 10.78, CI 3.75 to 31), and for 400 kV (OR 2.98, CI 0.93- 9.54).
The authors conclude that the study emphasizes that living close to high voltage power lines is a risk for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

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