Epidemiological study

Changes over time in the reported risk for childhood leukaemia and magnetic fields epidem.

By: Swanson J, Kheifets L, Vergara X

Published in: J Radiol Prot 2019; 39 (2): 470-488

Aim of study (acc. to author)

A meta-analysis was conducted to examine time trends in the risk for childhood leukemia and exposure to power-frequency magnetic fields.

Further details

The 41 included studies are listed in 'Related articles'.
The studies were classified in three groups according to the quality of exposure assessment: Studies with quantified magnetic field estimates and where the methods used meet the defined quality criterion (24 hours measurements or calculated fields), studies with quantified magnetic field estimates, but which did not meet the quality criterion (spot or other short-term measurements) and studies that used methods such as wire codes or residential distance to power lines that do not result in a quantitative magnetic field estimate.

Endpoint/type of risk estimation

childhood leukemia

Type of risk estimation:

incidence

(cumulative relative risk)

Exposure

Assessment

wire code
calculation
measurement

Exposure groups

Group	Description
Reference group 1	magnetic field exposure: < 0.1 µT
Group 2	magnetic field exposure: ≥ 0.3 µT
Reference group 3	magnetic field exposure: < 0.1 µT
Group 4	magnetic field exposure: ≥ 0.4 µT

Population

Group:
- children
Age: 0–14 years
Study location: USA, Canada, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Mexico, Taiwan, Germany, Greece, New Zealand, Italy, UK, Japan, China, Iran, Brazil, Czech Republic, France, Malaysia

Results (acc. to author)

The cumulative relative risk for childhood leukemia and magnetic fields has indeed declined, for the most rigorous analysis including only studies with high quality magnetic field estimates from a maximum of RR 2.44 in 1997 to RR 1.58 in 2017, but not statistically significantly when tested as a linear trend. Higher risks were observed in studies looking at higher exposures (≥ 0.4 µT vs. ≥ 0.3 µT) and in studies with better quality exposure assessment.
The authors conclude that there is a decline in reported risk for childhood leukemia and magnetic fields from the mid-1990s to now, which is unlikely to be solely explained by improving study quality but may be due to chance, and an elevated risk remains.

Study funded by

Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), USA

Núñez-Enríquez JC et al. (2020): Extremely Low-Frequency Magnetic Fields and the Risk of Childhood B-Lineage Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in a City With High Incidence of Leukemia and Elevated Exposure to ELF Magnetic Fields
Kheifets L et al. (2017): Residential magnetic fields exposure and childhood leukemia: a population-based case-control study in California
Bunch KJ et al. (2016): Epidemiological study of power lines and childhood cancer in the UK: further analyses
Pedersen C et al. (2015): Residential exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields and risk of childhood leukaemia, CNS tumour and lymphoma in Denmark
Bunch KJ et al. (2015): Magnetic fields and childhood cancer: an epidemiological investigation of the effects of high-voltage underground cables
Salvan A et al. (2015): Childhood Leukemia and 50 Hz Magnetic Fields: Findings from the Italian SETIL Case-Control Study
Ba Hakim AS et al. (2014): ELF-EMF correlation study on distance from overhead transmission lines and acute leukemia among children in Klang Valley, Malaysia
Sermage-Faure C et al. (2013): Childhood leukaemia close to high-voltage power lines--the Geocap study, 2002-2007
Jirik V et al. (2012): Association between Childhood Leukaemia and Exposure to Power-frequency Magnetic Fields in Middle Europe
Wünsch Filho V et al. (2011): Exposure to magnetic fields and childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia in Sao Paulo, Brazil
Does M et al. (2011): Exposure to electrical contact currents and the risk of childhood leukemia
Sohrabi MR et al. (2010): Living near overhead high voltage transmission power lines as a risk factor for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a case-control study
Kroll ME et al. (2010): Childhood cancer and magnetic fields from high-voltage power lines in England and Wales: a case-control study
Malagoli C et al. (2010): Risk of hematological malignancies associated with magnetic fields exposure from power lines: a case-control study in two municipalities of northern Italy
Feizi AA et al. (2007): Acute childhood leukemias and exposure to magnetic fields generated by high voltage overhead power lines - a risk factor in Iran
Kabuto M et al. (2006): Childhood leukemia and magnetic fields in Japan: a case-control study of childhood leukemia and residential power-frequency magnetic fields in Japan
Mizoue T et al. (2004): Residential proximity to high-voltage power lines and risk of childhood hematological malignancies
Schüz J et al. (2001): Residential magnetic fields as a risk factor for childhood acute leukaemia: results from a German population-based case-control study
Bianchi N et al. (2000): Overhead electricity power lines and childhood leukemia: a registry-based, case-control study
UK Childhood Cancer Study Investigators (1999): Exposure to power-frequency magnetic fields and the risk of childhood cancer
McBride ML et al. (1999): Power-frequency electric and magnetic fields and risk of childhood leukemia in Canada
Green LM et al. (1999): Childhood leukemia and personal monitoring of residential exposures to electric and magnetic fields in Ontario, Canada
Michaelis J et al. (1998): Combined risk estimates for two German population-based case-control studies on residential magnetic fields and childhood acute leukemia
Li CY et al. (1998): Risk of leukemia in children living near high-voltage transmission lines
Dockerty JD et al. (1998): Electromagnetic field exposures and childhood cancers in New Zealand
Michaelis J et al. (1997): Childhood leukemia and electromagnetic fields: results of a population-based case-control study in Germany
Linet MS et al. (1997): Residential exposure to magnetic fields and acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children
Petridou E et al. (1997): Electrical power lines and childhood leukemia: a study from Greece
Tynes T et al. (1997): Electromagnetic Fields and Cancer in Children Residing Near Norwegian High-Voltage Power Lines
Coghill RW et al. (1996): Extra low frequency electric and magnetic fields in the bedplace of children diagnosed with leukaemia: a case-control study
Lin RS et al. (1994): Risk of childhood leukemia in areas passed by high power lines
Feychting M et al. (1993): Magnetic fields and cancer in children residing near Swedish high-voltage power lines
Verkasalo PK et al. (1993): Risk of cancer in Finnish children living close to power lines
Fajardo-Gutierrez A et al. (1993): [Residence close to high-tension electric power lines and its association with leukemia in children]
Olsen J et al. (1993): Residence near high voltage facilities and risk of cancer in children
London SJ et al. (1991): Exposure to residential electric and magnetic fields and risk of childhood leukemia
Myers A et al. (1990): Childhood cancer and overhead powerlines: a case-control study
Coleman MP et al. (1989): Leukaemia and residence near electricity transmission equipment: a case-control study
Savitz DA et al. (1988): Case-control study of childhood cancer and exposure to 60-Hz magnetic fields
Tomenius L (1986): 50-Hz electromagnetic environment and the incidence of childhood tumors in Stockholm County
Fulton JP et al. (1980): Electrical wiring configurations and childhood leukemia in Rhode Island
Wertheimer N et al. (1979): Electrical wiring configurations and childhood cancer