Epidemiological study (observational study)

Adult mortality from leukemia, brain cancer, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and magnetic fields from power lines: a case-control study in Brazil epidem.

By: Marcilio I, Gouveia N, Pereira Filho ML, Kheifets L

Published in: Rev Bras Epidemiol 2011; 14 (4): 580-588

Aim of study (acc. to author)

A death certificate based case-control study was conducted in Brazil to investigate the association between magnetic fields from power lines and adult mortality from leukemia, brain cancer, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Endpoint/type of risk estimation

Type of risk estimation:

mortality

(odds ratio (OR))

Exposure

Assessment

measurement: geocoding of the shortest distance between home and nearest transmission line
calculation: magnetic field based on distance between residence and closest transmission line and historical information on phasing, tower, and substation locations, number of circuits, construction and load for each year supplied by electricity companies

Exposure groups

Group	Description
Reference group 1	magnetic field exposure: ≤ 0.1 µT
Group 2	magnetic field exposure: > 0.1 - ≤ 0.3 µT
Group 3	magnetic field exposure: > 0.3 µT
Reference group 4	distance between residence and power line (all currents): > 400 m
Group 5	distance between residence and power line (all currents): > 200 - ≤ 400 m
Group 6	distance between residence and power line (all currents): > 100 - ≤ 200 m
Group 7	distance between residence and power line (all currents): > 50 - ≤ 100 m
Group 8	distance between residence and power line (all currents): ≤ 50 m
Reference group 9	distance between residence and power line < 200 kV: > 400 m
Group 10	distance between residence and power line < 200 kV: > 200 - ≤ 400 m
Group 11	distance between residence and power line < 200 kV: > 100 - ≤ 200 m
Group 12	distance between residence and power line < 200 kV: > 50 - ≤ 100 m
Group 13	distance between residence and power line < 200 kV: ≤ 50 m

Population

Group:
- men
- women
Age: ≥ 40 years
Observation period: 2001 - 2005
Study location: Brazil (39 municipalities including Sao Paulo)

Case group

Characteristics: death from leukemia, brain cancer and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Data source: mortality database of Sao Paulo, official database of the State of Sao Paulo

Control group

Selection:
- registry-based
Matching:
- sex
- area
- 5-years age group
Exclusion criteria: death causes that had been suggested to be associated with ELF-MF: death from breast cancer, prostate cancer, cancer of ovaries, lymphoma, neurodegenerative diseases, suicides, ischemic heart disease, arrhythmia, and cerebrovascular diseases

Study size

	Cases	Controls
Eligible	4,990	4,990
Participants	4,581	4,706

Other:

1,857 cases of leukemia, 2,357 of brain cancer, and 367 of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Statistical analysis method:

unconditional logistic regression

(adjustment:

education
ethnicity and marital status

)

Results (acc. to author)

A statistically non-significant increased risk for mortality from leukemia among adults living at closer distances to transmission lines compared to those living further then 400 m was found. Risk was higher for subjects that lived within 50 m from power lines (OR 1.47; CI 0.99-2.18). Similarly, a statistically non-significant small increase in leukemia mortality was observed among adults living in houses with calculated exposure to magnetic fields > 0.3 µT (OR 1.61; CI 0.91-2.86).
No increased risk was observed for brain tumors or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
The authors conclude that their findings are suggestive of a higher risk for leukemia among subjects living closer to transmission lines, and for those living at homes with higher calculated magnetic fields, although the risk was limited to voltage lines < 200 kV.

Limitations (acc. to author)

No information about occupational exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields could be retrieved and included in the analysis.

Study funded by

Brazilian Electricity Regulatory Agency (ANEEL), Brazil

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