Is exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) and electric shocks associated with malignant lymphoma?

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This nested case-control study evaluated the association between occupational exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MFs) and electric shocks and risk of lymphoma within the Nordic Occupational Cancer Cohort of Nordic populations (Finland, Iceland, Norway, Denmark and Sweden). The study included: cases of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL, n=68,978), chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL, n=20,615) and multiple myeloma (MM, n=35,467) diagnosed during 1961 – 2005. Each case was matched to five controls by year of birth, sex and country. Occupational exposure to ELF-MF and electric shocks was assessed using job-exposure matrices. The results of the study demonstrated no increased risks of these cancers among workers exposed to high levels of ELF-MF for NHL (Odds ratio (OR): 0.93; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.90 – 0.97), CLL (OR: 0.98; 95% CI 0.92 – 1.05) or MM (OR: 0.96; 95% CI 0.90 – 1.01). Similarly, no increased risk of these cancers was reported for exposure to electric shock in occupational workers as the ORs were 0.94 (95% CI 0.91 – 0.97) [NHL], 0.93 (95% CI 0.87 – 0.99) [CLL], and 0.97 (95% CI 0.93 – 1.02) [MM]. The authors concluded that the study found no evidence of an association between occupational exposure to ELF-MFs and electric shocks and lymphoma risk.

Malignant lymphoma and occupational exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields and electrical shocks: a nested case-control study in a cohort of four Nordic countries

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Unlike some previous studies, including an Australian study, showing a mild association between occupational exposure to ELF-MFs and the risk of NHL in a few occupational groups, this latest study demonstrates no association. Compared to most of the previous study designs, this study adopted improved methods (e.g., inclusion of a larger number of cases, ascertainment of cases accurately and with nearly complete follow-up of study participants) to investigate this potential relationship. Therefore, the results of this current study provide improved reliability with reassuring findings of no risk. There seems to be a knowledge gap regarding whether occupational exposure to electric shocks increases the risk of lymphoma. This study presents the first evidence of no elevated risk of the disease associated with the exposure to electric shocks. Consistent to current international scientific consensus, it is the assessment of ARPANSA that there is no link between occupational exposure to ELF-MF and any cancer, including those investigated in this study.