Epidemiological study (observational study)

Overhead electricity power lines and childhood leukemia: a registry-based, case-control study epidem.

By: Bianchi N, Crosignani P, Rovelli A, Tittarelli A, Carnelli CA, Rossitto F, Vanelli U, Porro E, Berrino F

Published in: Tumori 2000; 86 (3): 195-198

Aim of study (acc. to author)

A case-control study was conducted in the province of Varese in Italy to investigate the role of exposure to low-frequency electromagnetic fields generated by overhead power lines on the risk of childhood leukemia.

Endpoint/type of risk estimation

childhood leukemia

Type of risk estimation:

incidence

(relative risk (RR))

Exposure

Assessment

measurement: spot measurement of magnetic field intensity at the building entrance in 1 m height
calculation: average magnetic field strength based on distance of residence to power line and load data for 1998 supplied by the Italian National Electricity Board

Exposure groups

Group	Description
Reference group 1	unexposed: living in a distance > 150 m to the next power line
Group 2	magnetic field strength 0.001 - 0.1 µT
Group 3	magnetic field strength > 0.1 µT
Group 4	magnetic field strength > 0.001 µT

Population

Group:
- children
Age: 0–14 years
Observation period: 1976 - 1992
Study location: Italy (province of Varese)

Case group

Characteristics: childhood leukemia
Data source: Lombardy Cancer Registry, Italy

Control group

Selection:
- registry-based
Matching:
- sex
- age
- area
- case:control = 1:4

Study size

	Cases	Controls
Eligible	103	412
Participants	101	411

Statistical analysis method:

unconditional logistic regression

Results (acc. to author)

20 children (9 cases and 11 controls) lived within 150 m to a power line and were considered exposed. A significantly increased relative risk was observed for all children exposed to a magnetic field of more than 0.001µT. The relative risks for the two subgroups were also increased, but for the highest exposure group (> 0.1µT) not significant.
The authors concluded that the results provide some further evidence of an association between childhood leukemia and exposure of low-frequency electromagnetic fields from overhead power lines.

Study funded by

Associazione Bianca Garavaglia, Italy
Lion's Club, Italy

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