Authored By:
Su L, Fei Y, Wei X, Guo J, Jiang X, Lu L, Chen GThis is a meta-analysis of epidemiological studies investigating parental occupational exposure to extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields (MF) and childhood leukaemia. The meta-analysis included data from one cohort and 11 case-control studies. The authors report that overall neither maternal nor paternal occupational ELF MF exposure was associated with childhood leukaemia. The majority of studies included in the meta-analysis assessed ELF MF exposure by classifying the occupation of the subjects (job title). In order to decrease the potential of misclassification of ELF MF exposure the authors recommend further studies with exposure assessment that includes measurements.
Published In:
Leuk Lymphoma 2016: in pressThe World Health Organization reviewed the epidemiological studies investigating parental occupational exposure to ELF MF and childhood leukaemia in 2007 (WHO, 2007 (PDF 4.0 mb)). The WHO review concluded that studies on parental occupational exposure to ELF MF in the preconception period or during gestation are methodologically weak and the results are not consistent.
Studies published since the WHO review have been highlighted in previous monthly reports. These include a German case-control study by Hug et al (2009) which did not find an association between preconceptional parental ELF MF exposure and childhood cancer (November 2009 report). An Australian study by Reid et al also did not find an increased risk of leukaemia in offspring of parents with occupational exposure to ELF EMF (September 2011 report).
