Epidemiological study (observational study)

Magnetic fields and cancer in children residing near Swedish high-voltage power lines epidem.

By: Feychting M, Ahlbom A

Published in: Am J Epidemiol 1993; 138 (7): 467-481

Aim of study (acc. to author)

A population-based case-control study was conducted in Sweden to test the hypothesis that exposure to magnetic fields generated by high-voltage power lines increases cancer incidence in children.

Further details

Exposure was assessed by spot measurements and by calculations of the magnetic fields including information about the historical load of power lines.

Endpoint/type of risk estimation

childhood leukemia
childhood lymphoma
childhood brain/CNS tumor: central nervous system tumor
other childhood cancer

Type of risk estimation:

incidence

(relative risk (RR))

Exposure

Assessment

measurement: spot measurements: four 5-minute periods every 10 seconds
calculation: based on height of towers, distance between towers, distances between phases, ordering of phases and line load; distance between house and line; annual average line load for 1958-1985

Exposure groups

Group	Description
Reference group 1	magnetic fields, calculated: ≤ 0.09 µT
Group 2	magnetic fields, calculated: 0.1- 0.19 µT
Group 3	magnetic fields, calculated: ≥ 0.2 µT
Group 4	magnetic fields, calculated: 0.1-0.29 µT
Group 5	magnetic fields, calculated : ≥ 0.3 µT

Population

Group:
- children
Age: 0–15 years
Observation period: 1960 - 1985
Study location: Sweden (Stockholm, rest of Sweden)

Case group

Characteristics: cancer of children living within 300 m of 220 or 400 kV power lines
Data source: National Board for Health and Welfare, Sweden

Control group

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

Study size

	Cases	Controls
Eligible	142	558
Evaluable	141	554

Other:

study base: 127 383 children living close to power lines

Statistical analysis method:

conditional logistic regression

(adjustment:

age
sex
socioeconomic status
year of diagnosis, living in Stockholm or elsewhere, single-family house or apartment

)

Results (acc. to author)

An increased risk for leukemia in children and exposure to calculated historical magnetic fields above 0.2 µT was observed. For all cancers combined or for central nervous system tumors or lymphoma, there was no evidence of an association with calculated historical magnetic fields.

Study funded by

Association of Swedish Energy Distribution, Sweden
Swedish Council for Working Life and Social Research (FAS)
Swedish Electricians Union (SEF)/Association of Swedish Electric Utilities, Sweden
Swedish National Board for Industrial and Technical Development (NUTEK; former National Energy Administration), Sweden
Swedish National Grid (SweGrid), Sweden
Swedish Power Association, Sweden
Swedish Radiation Protection Authority (SSI)
Vattenfall, Sweden

Comments on this article

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