Epidemiological study (observational study)

Residential magnetic fields as a risk factor for childhood acute leukaemia: results from a German population-based case-control study epidem.

By: Schüz J, Grigat JP, Brinkmann K, Michaelis J

Published in: Int J Cancer 2001; 91 (5): 728-735

Aim of study (acc. to author)

A population-based case-control study was conducted in Germany to investigate whether residential magnetic fields above 0.2 µT increase a child's risk for leukemia. The findings of previous studies (publication 1959 and publication 975) should be confirmed or rejected.

Further details

Exposure to magnetic fields was measured over a period of 24 hours under the matress of the child's bed and in the livingroom at the residence where the child had been living for the longest period before date of diagnosis. Exposure was categorized in high (0.2 µT and more) and low ( below 0.2 µT).

Endpoint/type of risk estimation

Type of risk estimation:

incidence

(odds ratio (OR))

Exposure

- 50/60 Hz
- magnetic field
- power transmission line
- inhouse wiring
- residential

Assessment

questionnaire
interview
measurement: 24h-measurements under the matress of the child's bed and in the livingroom; short term measurement, spot measurements (to identify sources of elevated magnetic fields)
calculation: night-time value (median of data recorded between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.), daytime value (median between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.)

Exposure groups

Group	Description
Reference group 1	median of 24h-measurement in the child's bedroom: < 0.2 µT
Group 2	median of 24h-measurement in the child's bedroom: ≥ 0.2 µT
Group 3	median of 24h-measurement in the child's bedroom: 0.2 < 0.4 µT
Group 4	median of 24h-measurement in the child's bedroom: ≥ 0.4 µT
Reference group 5	mean of 24h-measurement in the child's bedroom: < 0.2 µT
Group 6	mean of 24h-measurement in the child's bedroom: ≥ 0.2 µT
Group 7	mean of 24h-measurement in the child's bedroom: 0.2 < 0.4 µT
Group 8	mean of 24h-measurement in the child's bedroom: ≥ 0.4 µT
Reference group 9	day-time value: < 0.2 µT
Group 10	day-time value: ≥ 0.2 µT
Group 11	day-time value: 0.2 < 0.4 µT
Group 12	day-time value: ≥ 0.4 µT
Reference group 13	night-time value: < 0.2 µT
Group 14	night-time value: ≥ 0.2 µT
Group 15	night-time value: 0.2 < 0.4 µT
Group 16	night-time value: ≥ 0.4 µT

Population

Group:
- children
Age: 0–14 years
Observation period: a) October 1992 - September 1994, b) January 1990 - September 1994
Study location: West Germany (nuclear installation areas living up to 15 km away)

Case group

Characteristics: acute leukemia, non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Data source: German Childhood Cancer Registry

Control group

Selection:
- population-based
Matching:
- sex
- area
- date of birth

Study size

	Cases	Controls
Eligible	847	2,127
Contacted	783	2,041
Participants	520	1,319
Participation rate	61 %	62 %
Evaluable	514	1,301

Statistical analysis method:

logistic regression

(adjustment:

age
sex
socioeconomic status
degree of urbanization

)

Results (acc. to author)

Only 1.5 % of the children in this study were exposed to median magnetic fields above 0.2 µT.
The risk for childhood leukemia and median of the 24h-measurement in the child's bedroom above 0.2 µT (groups 6, 7 and 8) was non-significantly weakly elavated. A significant association was observed between childhood leukemia and magnetic field exposure above 0.2 µT during night (groups 14, 15 and 16).
The evidence for an association between childhood leukemia and magnetic fields in this study is based on a measure of the child's exposure during the night. The findings of the authors' previous studies were confirmed.

Limitations (acc. to author)

The results are based on small numbers of exposed children.

Study funded by

Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz und Reaktorsicherheit (Federal Ministry of the Environment, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety), Germany

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