Registry of Buildings With Transformer Stations as a Basis for Epidemiological Studies on Health Effects of Extremely Low‐Frequency Magnetic Fields

Abstract

Buildings with indoor transformer stations may serve as a basis for improved epidemiological studies on health effects of extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF MFs). Previous studies have shown that ELF MF exposure can be adequately assessed based on the fact that MF levels are high in apartments directly above transformers. In this paper, we describe creation of a registry of Finnish residential buildings with built-in transformer stations and discuss its usability in epidemiological studies. Information obtained from electric utilities and building blueprints were used to identify 677 buildings in which an apartment was located above or adjacent to a transformer station. All apartments in these buildings were classified to exposure categories based on their location in relation to the transformer. Residential histories of these buildings were obtained from Population Register Centre. 287,668 individuals have resided in the buildings, and 9,126 of them have resided in an apartment located directly above a transformer station. All information was collected without contacting residents, thus avoiding selection bias. The registry can be linked with data from high-quality nationwide registries to confirm or challenge the reported associations of ELF MF exposure and diseases such as cancer, miscarriage and Alzheimer's disease.

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