Case-control study of childhood cancer and exposure to 60-Hz magnetic fields
Concern with health effects of extremely low frequency magnetic fields has been raised by epidemiologic studies of childhood cancer in relation to proximity to electric power distribution lines. This case-control study was designed to assess the relation between residential exposure to magnetic fields and the development of childhood cancer. Eligible cases consisted of all 356 residents of the five-county 1970 Denver, Colorado Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area aged 0-14 years who were diagnosed with any form of cancer between 1976 and 1983. Controls were selected by random digit dialing to approximate the case distribution by age, sex, and telephone exchange area. Exposure was characterized through in-home electric and magnetic field measurements under low and high power use conditions and wire configuration codes, a surrogate measure of long-term magnetic field levels. Measured magnetic fields under low power use conditions had a modest association with cancer incidence; a cutoff score of 2.0 milligauss resulted in an odds ratio of 1.4 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.6-2.9) for total cancers and somewhat larger odds ratios (ORs) for leukemias (OR = 1.9), lymphomas (OR = 2.2), and soft tissue sarcomas (OR = 3.3). Neither magnetic fields (OR = 1.0) nor electric fields (OR = 0.9) under high power use conditions were related to total cancers. Wire codes associated with higher magnetic fields were more common among case than control homes. The odds ratio to contrast very high and high to very low, low, and buried wire codes was 1.5 (95% CI = 1.0-2.3) for total cases, with consistency across cancer subgroups except for brain cancer (OR = 2.0) and lymphomas (OR = 0.8). Contrasts of very high to buried wire code homes produced larger, less precise odds ratios of 2.3 for total cases, 2.9 for leukemias, and 3.3 for lymphomas.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 6855352
- Journal Information:
- Am. J. Epidemiol.; (United States), Vol. 128:1
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Childhood brain tumor occurrence in relation to external power lines and other sources of residential magnetic fields. Final report
Magnetic fields and cancer in children residing near Swedish high-voltage power lines
Related Subjects
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
CHILDREN
NEOPLASMS
ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS
CARCINOGENESIS
EPIDEMIOLOGY
COLORADO
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE
LEUKEMIA
AGE GROUPS
DISEASES
FEDERAL REGION VIII
HEMIC DISEASES
IMMUNE SYSTEM DISEASES
NORTH AMERICA
PATHOGENESIS
USA
560400* - Other Environmental Pollutant Effects
550900 - Pathology