Study type:
Epidemiological study
(observational study)
Residential distance at birth from overhead high-voltage powerlines: childhood cancer risk in Britain 1962-2008
epidem.
By:
Bunch KJ, Keegan TJ, Swanson J, Vincent TJ, Murphy MF
Published in: Br J Cancer 2014; 110 (5): 1402-1408
Aim of study (acc. to author)
Endpoint/type of risk estimation
Type of risk estimation:
(relative risk (RR))
Exposure
Assessment
- calculation: shortest distance between mother's residence at time of birth of the child and nearest powerline in year of birth based on data provided by distribution network operators
Exposure groups
|
Group
|
Description
|
|
Group 1
|
distance of address at birth to nearest power line: 0 - 199 m
|
|
Group 2
|
distance of address at birth to nearest power line: 200 - 599 m
|
|
Group 3
|
distance of address at birth to nearest power line: 600 - 999 m
|
|
Reference group 4
|
distance of address at birth to nearest power line: ≥ 1000 m
|
|
Group 5
|
distance of address at birth to nearest power line: 0 - 49 m
|
|
Group 6
|
distance of address at birth to nearest power line: 50 - 99 m
|
|
Group 7
|
distance of address at birth to nearest power line: 100 - 199 m
|
|
Group 8
|
distance of address at birth to nearest power line: 200 - 299 m
|
|
Group 9
|
distance of address at birth to nearest power line: 300 - 399 m
|
|
Group 10
|
distance of address at birth to nearest power line: 400 - 499 m
|
|
Group 11
|
distance of address at birth to nearest power line: 500 - 599 m
|
|
Group 12
|
distance of address at birth to nearest power line: 600 - 699 m
|
|
Group 13
|
distance of address at birth to nearest power line: 700 - 799 m
|
|
Group 14
|
distance of address at birth to nearest power line: 800 - 899 m
|
|
Group 15
|
distance of address at birth to nearest power line: 900 - 999 m
|
|
Reference group 16
|
distance of address at birth to nearest power line: ≥ 1000 m
|
Population
-
Group:
-
Age:
0–14 years
-
Observation period:
1962 - 2008
-
Study location:
UK (England, Wales and Scotland)
Case group
Control group
-
Selection:
-
Matching:
- sex
- age
- birth registration sub-district
- case:control = 1:1
Study size
|
Cases |
Controls |
| Eligible |
57,067 |
- |
| Evaluable |
53,515 |
66,204 |
Statistical analysis method:
- conditional logistic regression
Results (acc. to author)
In the previous study Draper et al (2005), an excess risk for childhood leukemia was found at distances within 600 m to power lines (400 kV and 275 kV). In the present study following risk estimates for childhood leukemia were observed for a distance of 0-199 m between residence at birth to power line compared with a distance of ≥ 1000 m together for all voltages: 1962-1969 RR 4.50 (CI 0.97-20.83), 2000-2008 RR 0.71 (CI 0.49-1.03), aggregate over whole period 1962-2008 RR 1.12 (CI 0.90-1.38). Risk appears to have declined over the period from 1962 to 2008 in Britain, and in aggregate over that period, there is no significant excess risk. An increased risk, albeit less strong, may also be present for 132-kV lines. No increased risk was found at a distance beyond 600 m for lines of any voltage. No increased risks were observed for tumor groups other than leukemia.
The authors conclude that a risk declining over time is unlikely to arise from any physical effect of the powerlines and is more likely to be the result of changing population characteristics among those living near powerlines.
Study funded by
Comments on this article
-
Jeffers D
(2014):
Comment on 'Residential distance at birth from overhead high-voltage powerlines: childhood cancer risk in Britain 1962-2008'
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