Study type: Epidemiological study (observational study)

Childhood cancer and residential proximity to power lines epidem.

Published in: Br J Cancer 2000; 83 (11): 1573-1580

Aim of study (acc. to author)

The relation between childhood cancer and residential proximity to power lines was investigated in a population-based case-control study in UK.

Further details

The study is the EMF part of the UK Childhood Cancer Study (UKCCS) in which five hypotheses of potential causes for childhood cancers were tested.
The results based on measurements of the magnetic fields in the residence where the child lived one year prior diagnosis are published in publication 4451. In this study the magnetic field exposure was calculated using the distance of residence to electricity supply equipment to include all cases and controls.

Endpoint/type of risk estimation

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

Exposure

Assessment

Exposure groups

Group Description
Reference group 1 near no equipment
Group 2 11 and 20 kV lines within 80 m
Group 3 33 kV lines within 80 m
Group 4 132 kV lines within 200 m
Group 5 275 kV lines within 400 m
Group 6 400 kV lines within 400 m
Group 7 33 kV underground cables within 20 m
Group 8 132 kV underground cables within 20 m
Group 9 275 kV underground cables within 20 m
Group 10 substations within 20 m
Group 11 low-voltage circuits within 2 m
Reference group 12 magnetic field exposure: < 0.1 µT
Group 13 magnetic field exposure: 0.1 - < 0.2 µT
Group 14 magnetic field exposure: ≥ 0.2 µT
Group 15 magnetic field exposure: 0.2 - < 0.4 µT
Group 16 magnetic field exposure: ≥ 0.4 µT

Population

Case group

Control group

Study size

Cases Controls
Eligible 3,938 7,629
Evaluable 3,380 3,390
Statistical analysis method: (adjustment: )

Results (acc. to author)

The results provide no evidence that residential proximity to electricity supply equipment is associated with an increased risk in developing childhood cancer.

Study funded by

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