Epidemiological study (observational study)

Risk of childhood leukemia in areas passed by high power lines epidem.

By: Lin RS, Lee WC

Published in: Rev Environ Health 1994; 10 (2): 97-103

Aim of study (acc. to author)

The association between residential exposure to electromagnetic fields and the incidence of childhood leukemia was investigated in five areas in Taipei metropolitan area, Taiwan, where at least one of the elementary school campuses is passed over by a high power electric transmission line.

Further details

Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were derived by dividing the observed number of leukemia cases by the expected number of leukemia cases and adjusted for the degree of urbanization.

Endpoint/type of risk estimation

childhood leukemia

Type of risk estimation:

incidence

(standardized incidence rate (SIR))

Exposure

Assessment

list: information of the Taiwan Electric Power Company about power lines in Taipeh

Exposure groups

Group	Description
Group 1	district Shihlin
Group 2	district Chingmei
Group 3	district Tucheng
Group 4	district Yingko
Group 5	district Hsichuh
Group 6	total
Group 7	district Shihlin: aged 0 - 4 years
Group 8	district Chingmei: aged 0 - 4 years
Group 9	district Tucheng: aged 0 - 4 years
Group 10	district Yingko: aged 0 - 4 years
Group 11	district Hsichuh: aged 0 - 4 years
Group 12	total: aged 0 - 4 years
Group 13	district Shihlin: aged 5 - 9 years
Group 14	district Chingmei: aged 5 - 9 years
Group 15	district Tucheng: aged 5 - 9 years
Group 16	district Yingko: aged 5 - 9 years
Group 17	district Hsichuh: aged 5 - 9 years
Group 18	total: aged 5 - 9 years
Group 19	district Shihlin: aged 10 - 14 years
Group 20	district Chingmei: aged 10 - 14 years
Group 21	district Tucheng: aged 10 - 14 years
Group 22	district Yingko: aged 10 - 14 years
Group 23	district Hsichuh: aged 10 - 14 years
Group 24	total: aged 10 - 14 years

Population

Group:
- children
Age: 0–14 years
Characteristics: childhood leukemia
Observation period: 1979 - 1988
Study location: Taiwan (five districts of Taipeh: Shihlin, Chingmei, Tucheng, Yingko, Hsischuh)
Data source: Cancer Registration Center Taiwan

Results (acc. to author)

A total of 67 cases of childhood leukemia were observed in the five districts of Taipeh in Taiwan in the period of 1979 to 1988. Children living in these five districts showed a significantly higher risk of developing childhood leukemia. Among preschool children (aged 0 - 4 years) the highest and significantly increased standardized incidence rates (SIRs) were observed, while the SIRs of the school children (aged 5 - 14 years) were non-significantly elevated.
the authors concluded that the results support the association between childhood leukemia and residential electromagnetic fields.

Limitations (acc. to author)

The method of exposure assessment is not unquestionable.

Study funded by

National Science Council, Taiwan

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