Epidemiological study (observational study)

Childhood leukemia and personal monitoring of residential exposures to electric and magnetic fields in Ontario, Canada epidem.

By: Green LM, Miller AB, Agnew DA, Greenberg ML, Li J, Villeneuve PJ, Tibshirani R

Published in: Cancer Causes Control 1999; 10 (3): 233-243

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To investigate the association between the risk of childhood leukemia and residential exposures to electric and magnetic fields, part of the Canadian case-control study (publication 1053) was conducted with improved exposure assessment method.

Further details

Exposures to electric and magnetic fields were measured by a personal monitoring device worn by the child for at least two days. Further exposure assessment was obtained by point-in-time measurements in rooms used by the child and by wire-code classification.

Endpoint/type of risk estimation

childhood leukemia

Type of risk estimation:

incidence

(odds ratio (OR))

Exposure

- power transmission line
- inhouse wiring
- residential

Assessment

wire code: Wertheimer-Leeper scheme, Wertheimer-Leeper scheme modified by Barnes, Kaune-Savitz scheme
measurement: point-in-time measurements in child's bedroom and 2 other rooms most frequently used by the child
dosimeter: personal monitoring device measuring electric and magnetic fields, worn for at least 2 days by the child

Exposure groups

Group	Description
Reference group 1	average magnetic flux density measured by personal monitoring: < 0.03 µT
Group 2	average magnetic flux density measured by personal monitoring: 0.03 - < 0.07 µT
Group 3	average magnetic flux density measured by personal monitoring: 0.07 - < 0.14 µT
Group 4	average magnetic flux density measured by personal monitoring: ≥ 0.14 µT
Reference group 5	average electric field strength measured by personal monitoring: < 5.6 V/m
Group 6	average electric field strength measured by personal monitoring: 5.6 - < 7.9 V/m
Group 7	average electric field strength measured by personal monitoring: 7.9 - < 11.6 V/m
Group 8	average electric field strength measured by personal monitoring: ≥ 11.6 V/m
Reference group 9	Wertheimer-Leeper code: very low current configuration (VLCC)
Group 10	Wertheimer-Leeper code: ordinary low-current configuration (OLCC)
Group 11	Wertheimer-Leeper code: ordinary and very high-current configuration (OHCC + VHCC)
Group 12	Wertheimer-Leeper code: apartments
Reference group 13	Kaune-Savitz code: low
Group 14	Kaune-Savitz code: medium
Group 15	Kaune-Savitz code: high
Group 16	Kaune-Savitz code: apartments

Population

Group:
- children
Age: 0–14 years
Observation period: 1985 - 1993
Study location: Canada (southern Ontario)

Case group

Characteristics: leukemia, histologically confirmed
Data source: Pediatric Oncology Group Registry

Control group

Selection:
- population-based
Matching:
- sex
- age

Study size

	Cases	Controls
Participants	88	133

Other:

76 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Statistical analysis method:

conditional logistic regression

(adjustment:

age
sex
socioeconomic status
average power consumption

)

Results (acc. to author)

An association between magnetic field exposure as measured with the personal monitor and increased risk of childhood leukemia was found, particularly in younger children. No association for residential proximity to power lines with high current configuration and an increased risk of leukemia was observed. Electric field exposure measured by personal monitoring was not associated with increased risk of childhood leukemia.
The findings relating to magnetic field exposures measured by personal monitoring supported an association with the risk of childhood leukemia.

Study funded by

Ontario Hydro (Hydro-Electric Power Commission), Canada

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