ARPANSA - Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency

By: Malagoli C, Fabbi S, Teggi S, Calzari M, Poli M, Ballotti E, Notari B, Bruni M, Palazzi G, Paolucci P, Vinceti M
Published in: Environ Health 2010; 9(1):16

This case-control study investigated whether living near high voltage power lines is associated with haematological cancers (such as leukaemia) in children. The study included 64 cases of haematological cancers diagnosed between 1986 and 2007 in the Modena and Reggio Emilia municipalities of northern Italy and 256 controls (subjects without cancer) that were matched to the cases (i.e. similar age, sex and municipality of residence). Exposure to magnetic fields in the homes of the subjects was calculated using modelling software. The risk estimates for all leukaemia and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia when residing in the area with exposure greater than 0.1 microtesla was 3.2 (95% confidence interval 0.4-23.4) and 5.3 (95% confidence interval 0.7-43.5), respectively. There was no increased risk for the other haematological malignancies. The authors report that although the results show an increased risk of leukaemia the number of subjects was too low for any firm conclusions.

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In 1979 an epidemiological study in Denver, Colorado by Wertheimer and Leeper (1979) reported an excess risk of leukaemia in children residing near “high-current configurations”, i.e. power lines, transformers and other electricity supply infrastructure characterised by a high electrical current. Since Wertheimer and Leeper, a large number of epidemiological and laboratory studies have been conducted investigating a range of diseases and exposure conditions to further investigate this unexpected result. The most intensive epidemiologic effort has focused on residential magnetic field exposure and childhood cancer, especially leukaemia.

In 2002 the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) reviewed all the available evidence in relation to extremely low frequency (ELF) electric and magnetic fields and cancer. Based on the “limited” association between ELF magnetic fields and childhood leukaemia found in epidemiologic studies and “inadequate” animal data, IARC classified ELF magnetic fields as a “possible human carcinogen" (http://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Monographs/vol80/index.php).

In 2007, the World Health Organization (WHO) reviewed the evidence in an Environmental Health Criteria Monograph by focussing mainly on studies published after the IARC review. The WHO concluded that new studies do not change the overall classification of ELF magnetic fields as a possible human carcinogen (http://www.who.int/peh-emf/publications/elf_ehc/en/index.html).

Health effects related to ELF fields are described further in the ARPANSA fact sheet Electricity and Health.

Wertheimer N, Leeper E. “Electrical wiring configurations and childhood cancer” Am J Epidemiol. 1979 Mar;109(3):273-84.

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By:  Saito T et al
Published in: J Epidemiol 2010; 20 (1): 54 – 61

This Japanese case-control study investigated exposure to power frequency (50 Hertz) magnetic fields and brain tumours in children. The study included 55 children that were recently diagnosed with brain tumour (the cases) and 99 children without brain tumour (the controls) that were similar to the cases in terms of age and sex. Exposure to magnetic fields was assessed by conducting measurements. The results indicate a positive association between exposure greater than 0.4 microtesla and the risk of brain tumour. The authors note that this association could not be explained solely by confounding factors (other explanations for the result) or selection bias (bias in the selection of subjects).

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By:  Kesari KK et al
Published in: Int J Radiat Biol 2010; 86 (4): 334 – 343

In this animal study male rats were exposed to radiofrequency (RF) radiation (for 2 h a day for 35 days at a frequency of 2.45 gigahertz) and were compared to a control group of rats who were not exposed to RF. After the completion of the exposure period, the rats were euthanised and the whole brain tissue was dissected and analysed. The authors report significant damage to the brain of the exposed rats as compared to the controls, and note that this may be an indication of possible tumour promotion.

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By:  de Vocht F
Published in: J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 2010: in press

This paper reviews the research on exposure to high-frequency voltage transients (caused by interruptions in the flow of electrical current), also termed “dirty electricity”, and health effects. The authors conclude that the 7 published studies that were found were subject to significant methodological flaws in the design of the studies, the assessment of exposure, and the statistical analysis, which prevented valid assessment of a link between “dirty electricity” and adverse effects.

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By:  Eden T
Published in: Cancer Treat Rev 2010: in press

This paper reviews the current knowledge on the causes of childhood leukaemia. The review mentions extremely low frequency magnetic fields noting that some evidence exists for a possible association although the mechanism of action remains unclear.

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By:  Riddervold IS et al
Published in: Bioelectromagnetics 2010: in press

This was a study conducted on human volunteers to investigate whether exposure to Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA, form of professional mobile radio) handsets is associated with changes in cognitive performance. Performance on different cognitive tasks was assessed for 53 male volunteers during 45-min exposure to a TETRA handset and compared to exposure to sham signals (no RF exposure). In addition, the participants completed a computer-based questionnaire measuring self-reported psychological and physical symptoms. The authors report that no evidence was found that brief exposure to hand-held TETRA transmitters affects human cognitive function or subjective symptoms.

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