LINK BETWEEN CANCER & MAGNETIC FIELD EXPOSURE

IS THERE A LINK BETWEEN MAGNETIC FIELD EXPOSURE AT HOME AND CANCER IN CHILDREN ? 

Numerous epidemiological (population) studies and comprehensive reviews have evaluated magnetic field exposure and risk of cancer in children . Since the two most common cancers in children are leukemia and brain tumors, most of the research has focused on these two types. A study in 1979 pointed to a possible association between living near electric power lines and childhood leukemia . Among more recent studies, findings have been mixed. Some have found an association; others have not. These studies are discussed in the following paragraphs.

Currently, researchers conclude that there is limited evidence that magnetic fields from power lines cause childhood leukemia, and that there is inadequate evidence that these magnetic fields cause other cancers in children . Researchers have not found a consistent relationship between magnetic fields from power lines or appliances and childhood brain tumors.

In one large study by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Children’s  Group, researchers measured magnetic fields directly in homes . This study found that children living in homes with high magnetic field levels did not have an increased risk of childhood . The one exception may have been children living in homes that had fields greater than 0.4 microtesla (µT), a very high level that occurs in few residences. Another study conducted by NCI researchers reported that children living close to overhead power lines based on distance measurements were not at greater risk of leukemia .

To estimate more accurately the risks of leukemia in children from magnetic fields resulting from power lines, researchers pooled (combined) data from many studies. In one pooled study that combined nine well-conducted studies from several countries, including a study from the NCI, a twofold excess risk of childhood leukemia was associated with exposure to magnetic fields above 0.4 µT . In another pooled study that combined 15 studies, a similar increased risk was seen above 0.3 µT . It is difficult to determine if this level of risk represents a real increase or if it results from study . Such study bias can be related to the selection of study subjects or possibly to other factors that relate to levels of magnetic field exposure. If magnetic fields caused childhood leukemia, certain patterns would have been found such as increasing risk with increasing levels of magnetic field exposure.

Another way that people can be exposed to magnetic fields is from household electrical appliances. Several studies have investigated this relationship . Although magnetic fields near many electrical appliances are higher than near power lines, appliances contribute less to a person’s total exposure to magnetic fields. This is because most appliances are used only for short periods of time, and most are not used close to the body, whereas power lines are always emitting magnetic fields.

In a detailed evaluation, from NCI and the Children’s Oncology Group examined whether the use of household electrical appliances by the mother while pregnant and later by the child increased the risk of childhood leukemia. Although some appliances were associated with childhood leukemia, researchers did not find any consistent pattern of increasing risk with increasing years of use or how often the appliance was used . A few other studies have reported mostly inconsistencies or no relation between appliances and risk of childhood cancer.

Occupational exposure of mothers to high levels of magnetic fields during pregnancy has been associated with childhood leukemia in a Canadian study . Similar studies need to be done in other populations to see if this is indeed the case.