ARPANSA - Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency

Several studies including the one listed below have indicated an association between proximity to dense traffic and occurrence of childhood cancer. It is believed that carcinogens from vehicle exhausts could be risk factors for this association and is an alternative hypothesis for explaining the increased occurrence of childhood leukemia found in some studies involving exposure to powerline magnetic fields.

In this study, traffic density was used as a substitute for exposure to vehicle exhaust gases and allowances were made for the distance of the road from residential homes.

The study found elevated risks for childhood cancers and leukemias at traffic densities above 20,000 vehicles per day at distances of 500 to 750 feet and that this result was consistent with other studies.

The work has several shortcomings. The number of cases studied were small thus reducing statistical rigour, actual exposures to noxious exhaust gases were not measured and children were assumed to be exposed on the bases of their address which is prone to error.

Since the cause of childhood cancer and leukemia is not generally known this study indicates the problems in establishing risk factors. Studies on exposures to powerline magnetic fields are performed using similar methods to those used here where addresses and proximity to powerlines are used as substitutes for levels of magnetic fields. The importance of this study is that it provides an alternative cause for research implicating magnetic fields from powerlines. Most of these studies have have not taken this confounder (an alternative cause) into account when determining risk factors.

Related ARPANSA Links

Residential Exposure to Magnetic Fields and Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Children.

The United States National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Conclusion on Health Effects of Electric and Magnetic Fields

Comments on Pooled Analysis Study of Magnetic Fields and Childhood Cancer (childhood leukemia)

The Controversy Over Electromagnetic Fields and Possible Adverse Health Effects

Powerline (Extremely Low Frequency ELF) Electromagnetic Fields and Cancer - The Doll Report

Use our list of related websites to find more information.

Reference

Distance-Weighted Traffic Density in Proximity to a Homes is a Risk Factor for Leukemia and Other Childhood Cancers
Journal of the Air and Waste Management Association
50:175-180
Pearson L, Wachtel H, Kristie L

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