Leukemia risk among U. S. white male coal miners. A case-control study

Journal Article · Sun Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1985 · JOM, J. Occup. Med.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6146746

Gilman, P A; Ames, R G; McCawley, M A

The relevance of occupational exposure to electrical and magnetic fields (EMF) in the etiology of leukemia has been raised in several studies. Underground coal miners represent an occupational group with situationally determined EMF exposure, as high-voltage power distribution lines are strung overhead in the mines and converters and step-down transformers provide power to mining equipment. Risk in occupational exposure to EMF was examined in a case-control study of 40 leukemia decedents and 160 control subjects who died of causes other than cancer or accident and who were matched on age at death. Based on these data, 25 or more years of underground mining, a surrogate of EMF exposure, was found to pose a statistically significant risk for leukemia (International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes 204 through 207, eighth revision), myelogenous leukemia (ICD 205), and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) (ICD 204.1). Accumulative exposure to chemical agents probably poses a risk for acute myelogenous leukemia, although this relationship fell short of being statistically significant. Although CLL has not previously been attributed to environmental agents, these data suggest a possible CLL risk from prolonged exposure to EMF.

• Research Organization: West Virginia Univ., Morgantown
• OSTI ID: 6146746
• Journal Information: JOM, J. Occup. Med.; (United States), Journal Name: JOM, J. Occup. Med.; (United States) Vol. 9; ISSN JJOMD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
016000* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Health & Safety
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
COAL MINERS
COAL MINING
DISEASES
ELECTRICITY
ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS
HEMIC DISEASES
LEUKEMIA
MINERS
MINING
NEOPLASMS
NORTH AMERICA
OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES
PERSONNEL
RISK ASSESSMENT
USA