Magnetic fields and childhood cancer: an epidemiological investigation of the effects of high-voltage underground cables

Journal of Radiological Protection : Official Journal of the Society for Radiological Protection
K J BunchM F G Murphy

Abstract

Epidemiological evidence of increased risks for childhood leukaemia from magnetic fields has implicated, as one source of such fields, high-voltage overhead lines. Magnetic fields are not the only factor that varies in their vicinity, complicating interpretation of any associations. Underground cables (UGCs), however, produce magnetic fields but have no other discernible effects in their vicinity. We report here the largest ever epidemiological study of high voltage UGCs, based on 52,525 cases occurring from 1962-2008, with matched birth controls. We calculated the distance of the mother's address at child's birth to the closest 275 or 400 kV ac or high-voltage dc UGC in England and Wales and the resulting magnetic fields. Few people are exposed to magnetic fields from UGCs limiting the statistical power. We found no indications of an association of risk with distance or of trend in risk with increasing magnetic field for leukaemia, and no convincing pattern of risks for any other cancer. Trend estimates for leukaemia as shown by the odds ratio (and 95% confidence interval) per unit increase in exposure were: reciprocal of distance 0.99 (0.95-1.03), magnetic field 1.01 (0.76-1.33). The absence of risk detected in relation to UG...Continue Reading

References

Mar 1, 1979·American Journal of Epidemiology·N Wertheimer, E Leeper
Oct 9, 1993·BMJ : British Medical Journal·J H OlsenG Schulgen
Jan 6, 2000·International Journal of Radiation Biology·A P FewsP A Keitch
Mar 8, 2007·Journal of Radiological Protection : Official Journal of the Society for Radiological Protection·M P MaslanyjE Roman
Mar 1, 2008·Journal of Radiological Protection : Official Journal of the Society for Radiological Protection·John Swanson
Oct 31, 2014·Journal of Radiological Protection : Official Journal of the Society for Radiological Protection·J SwansonM F G Murphy

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Jun 4, 2016·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·Ilaria LiorniPaolo Ravazzani
Feb 9, 2019·Journal of Radiological Protection : Official Journal of the Society for Radiological Protection·J SwansonX Vergara
Aug 23, 2018·British Journal of Cancer·Gerald J DraperCharles A Stiller
Jun 30, 2016·Journal of Radiological Protection : Official Journal of the Society for Radiological Protection·K J BunchM F G Murphy
Feb 26, 2019·Surgical Endoscopy·Ramon DiazAlfredo D Guerron
Jun 18, 2021·Journal of Pediatric Health Care : Official Publication of National Association of Pediatric Nurse Associates & Practitioners·Julie M BuserEmily Ginier

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.