Study type:
Epidemiological study
(observational study)
Residential exposure to electric power transmission lines and risk of lymphoproliferative and myeloproliferative disorders: a case-control study
epidem.
By:
Lowenthal RM, Tuck DM, Bray IC
Published in: Intern Med J 2007; 37 (9): 614-619
Aim of study (acc. to author)
Endpoint/type of risk estimation
Type of risk estimation:
(odds ratio (OR))
Exposure
Assessment
- list: complete residential histories
- calculation: lifetime residential proximity to power lines based on address and power grid in Tasmania comprising lines of 88, 110 or 220 kV
Exposure groups
|
Group
|
Description
|
|
Group 1
|
closest distance ever lived to a power line: > 300 m
|
|
Group 2
|
closest distance ever lived to a power line: 51 - 300 m
|
|
Group 3
|
closest distance ever lived to a power line: 0 - 50 m
|
|
Group 4
|
distance to power line 0 - 300 m: 0 - 15 years of age
|
|
Group 5
|
distance to power line 0 - 300 m: 15 years before diagnosis
|
|
Group 6
|
distance to power line 0 - 300 m: ever versus never
|
|
Group 7
|
distance to power line 0 - 300 m, residence only in Tasmania: 0 - 15 years of age
|
|
Group 8
|
distance to power line 0 - 300 m, residence only in Tasmania: 15 years before diagnosis
|
|
Group 9
|
distance to power line 0 - 300 m, residence only in Tasmania: ever versus never
|
|
Group 10
|
distance to power line 0 - 300 m: 0 - 5 years of age
|
|
Group 11
|
distance to power line 0 - 300 m: 6 - 17 years of age
|
|
Group 12
|
distance to power line 0 - 300 m: ≥ 18 years of age
|
|
Group 13
|
distance to power line 0 - 300 m, residence only in Tasmania: 0 - 5 years of age
|
|
Group 14
|
distance to power line 0 - 300 m, residence only in Tasmania: 6 - 17 years of age
|
|
Group 15
|
distance to power line 0 - 300 m, residence only in Tasmania: ≥ 18 years of age
|
Population
-
Group:
-
Age:
0–94 years
-
Observation period:
1972 - 1980
-
Study location:
Australia (Tasmania)
Case group
-
Characteristics:
lymphoproliferative and myeloproliferative disorders
-
Data source:
histopathology and haematology laboratories in Tasmania, Australia
Control group
-
Selection:
-
Matching:
- sex
- 5-years age group
- case:control = 1:1
Study size
|
Cases |
Controls |
| Participants |
854 |
854 |
Statistical analysis method:
- conditional logistic regression
(
adjustment:
)
Results (acc. to author)
19 patients (2.2 %) and 9 control persons (1.1 %) had ever lived within 50 m to a power transmission line, 75 patients (8.8 %) and 55 control persons (6.5 %) in the distance of 51 to 300 m.
Persons who had ever lived within 50 m to a power transmission line had a non significantly increased risk (OR 2.06, CI 0.87 - 4.91) for developing lymphoproliferative or myeloproliferative disorders compared to the group who had always lived in the distance of more than 300 m. There was also an increased risk (OR 1.30, CI 0.88 - 1.91) associated with having lived 51 to 300 m from a power line. Adults who had lived within 300 m from a power line between birth and 15 years of age had a significantly increased risk (OR 3.23, CI 1.26 - 8.29), persons who had lived within the same distance between birth and 5 years had a higher risk (OR 4.74, CI 0.98 - 22.9). These association were strenghtended for the matched pairs who had only lived in Tasmania.
The authors concluded that the results raise the possibility that prolonged residence close to power transmission lines, especially early in life, may increase the risk of developing lymphoproliferative and myeloproliferative disorders.
Limitations (acc. to author)
The number of subjects available for analysis was small.
Study funded by
-
Clifford Craig Medical Research Trust (CCMRT), Tasmania, Australia
-
David Collins Leukaemia Foundation (DCLF), Tasmania, Australia
-
Royal Hobart Hospital Medical Research Foundation, Tasmania, Australia
-
University of Plymouth, UK
Comments on this article
Related articles
-
Amoon AT et al.
(2022):
Pooled analysis of recent studies of magnetic fields and childhood leukemia
-
Seomun G et al.
(2021):
Exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields and childhood cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis
-
Khan MW et al.
(2021):
A cohort study on adult hematological malignancies and brain tumors in relation to magnetic fields from indoor transformer stations
-
Núñez-Enríquez JC et al.
(2020):
Extremely Low-Frequency Magnetic Fields and the Risk of Childhood B-Lineage Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in a City With High Incidence of Leukemia and Elevated Exposure to ELF Magnetic Fields
-
Auger N et al.
(2019):
Residential exposure to electromagnetic fields during pregnancy and risk of child cancer: A longitudinal cohort study
-
Swanson J et al.
(2018):
Reanalysis of risks of childhood leukaemia with distance from overhead power lines in the UK
-
Amoon AT et al.
(2018):
Proximity to overhead power lines and childhood leukaemia: an international pooled analysis
-
Bunch KJ et al.
(2016):
Epidemiological study of power lines and childhood cancer in the UK: further analyses
-
Tabrizi MM et al.
(2015):
Role of electromagnetic field exposure in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia and no impact of urinary alpha-amylase - a case control study in Tehran, Iran
-
Tabrizi MM et al.
(2015):
Increased risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) by prenatal and postnatal exposure to high voltage power lines: a case control study in Isfahan, Iran
-
Salvan A et al.
(2015):
Childhood Leukemia and 50 Hz Magnetic Fields: Findings from the Italian SETIL Case-Control Study
-
Zhao L et al.
(2014):
Magnetic fields exposure and childhood leukemia risk: a meta-analysis based on 11,699 cases and 13,194 controls
-
Swanson J et al.
(2014):
Childhood cancer and exposure to corona ions from power lines: an epidemiological test
-
Bunch KJ et al.
(2014):
Residential distance at birth from overhead high-voltage powerlines: childhood cancer risk in Britain 1962-2008
-
Pedersen C et al.
(2014):
Distance from residence to power line and risk of childhood leukemia: a population-based case-control study in Denmark
-
Sermage-Faure C et al.
(2013):
Childhood leukaemia close to high-voltage power lines--the Geocap study, 2002-2007
-
Schüz J et al.
(2012):
Extremely low-frequency magnetic fields and survival from childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: an international follow-up study
-
Jirik V et al.
(2012):
Association between Childhood Leukaemia and Exposure to Power-frequency Magnetic Fields in Middle Europe
-
Swanson J et al.
(2012):
Could the geomagnetic field be an effect modifier for studies of power-frequency magnetic fields and childhood leukaemia?
-
Rodriguez-Garcia JA et al.
(2012):
High incidence of acute leukemia in the proximity of some industrial facilities in El Bierzo, northwestern Spain
-
Marcilio I et al.
(2011):
Adult mortality from leukemia, brain cancer, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and magnetic fields from power lines: a case-control study in Brazil
-
Wünsch Filho V et al.
(2011):
Exposure to magnetic fields and childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia in Sao Paulo, Brazil
-
Sohrabi MR et al.
(2010):
Living near overhead high voltage transmission power lines as a risk factor for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a case-control study
-
Kroll ME et al.
(2010):
Childhood cancer and magnetic fields from high-voltage power lines in England and Wales: a case-control study
-
Kheifets L et al.
(2010):
Pooled analysis of recent studies on magnetic fields and childhood leukaemia
-
Malagoli C et al.
(2010):
Risk of hematological malignancies associated with magnetic fields exposure from power lines: a case-control study in two municipalities of northern Italy
-
Draper G et al.
(2005):
Childhood cancer in relation to distance from high voltage power lines in England and Wales: a case-control study
-
Greenland S et al.
(2000):
A pooled analysis of magnetic fields, wire codes, and childhood leukemia. Childhood Leukemia-EMF Study Group
-
Ahlbom A et al.
(2000):
A pooled analysis of magnetic fields and childhood leukaemia
-
Angelillo IF et al.
(1999):
Residential exposure to electromagnetic fields and childhood leukaemia: a meta-analysis
