Acute Nonlymphocytic Leukemia and Residential Exposure to Power Frequency Magnetic Fields1

Abstract

Recent research has suggested that nonionizing radiation in the form of power-frequency magnetic fields may play some role in carcinogenesis in general and in acute nonlymphocytic leukemia in particular. Much of the epidemiologic evidence is preliminary in nature and the methods of previous studies have been criticized. In order to further evaluate this hypothesis, a population-based case-control study of adult acute nonlymphocytic leukemia and residential exposure to power-frequency magnetic fields was carried out in western Washington state. Analyses were based on 114 cases who were newly diagnosed from 1981 to 1984 and identified from a population-based cancer registry, and 133 controls who were chosen from the study area by random digit dialing. Magnetic field exposure was estimated from external electrical wiring configurations within 140 ft (42.7 m) of each subject's residence. In addition, magnetic fields were measured inside the subject's residence at the time of interview. Neither the directly measured magnetic fields nor the surrogate values based on the wiring configurations were associated with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia.

Leukaemia and residence near electricity transmission equipment: a case-control study

“…Savitz et al (1988) found that for leukaemia there was a stronger association with wire codes than with direct contemporary measures of field intensity. Severson et al (1988), however, found no association between either wire codes or direct measures of field intensity and the risk of acute nonlymphocytic leukaemia in adults.…”

“…The subjects' exposure to ELF fields was categorised indirectly in these studies by the type and proximity of electricity transmission and distribution equipment variously within 40-150m of the subject's home. In addition, ELF magnetic field intensities were measured directly at all addresses in one study (Tomenius, 1986), and at most addresses in the two recent studies (Severson et al, 1988;Savitz et al, 1988).A number of studies of men likely to be exposed occupationally to power frequency electromagnetic fields have also suggested a raised risk of leukaemia, especially acute myeloid leukaemia (see Aldrich & Easterly, 1987;Savitz & Calle, 1987;Coleman & Beral, 1988). Interpretation of the evidence is made difficult by the complexity and ubiquity of human exposure to man-made ELF fields in modern society, and by the difficulty of obtaining satisfactory retrospective measures of this exposure.…”

“…The subjects' exposure to ELF fields was categorised indirectly in these studies by the type and proximity of electricity transmission and distribution equipment variously within 40-150m of the subject's home. In addition, ELF magnetic field intensities were measured directly at all addresses in one study (Tomenius, 1986), and at most addresses in the two recent studies (Severson et al, 1988;Savitz et al, 1988).…”

“…Three case-control studies have shown a two-to three-fold increase in leukaemia risk in persons who lived close to electricity power-lines and supply equipment (Wertheimer & Leeper, 1979Savitz et al, 1988). Two studies showed no association (Tomenius, 1986;Severson et al, 1988), although the study by Tomenius showed a two-fold risk of all cancers. The subjects' exposure to ELF fields was categorised indirectly in these studies by the type and proximity of electricity transmission and distribution equipment variously within 40-150m of the subject's home.…”

Assessment of Exposure to Magnetic Fields in Occupational Settings

“…Exposure measurements from electromagnetic fields representing each occupational category differ markedly across workplaces and industries [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] . In these studies, measurements for a given occupation were generally made at one worksite.…”