Childhood cancer and residential proximity to power lines

In the United Kingdom Childhood Cancer Study, a population-based case-contr ol study covering the whole of England, Scotland and Wales, measured power- frequency magnetic fields were not found to be associated with risk for any malignancy. To examine further the risk associated with residential proxim ity to electricity supply equipment, distances to high-voltage lines, under ground cables, substations and distribution circuits were collected for 338 0 cases and 3390 controls. Magnetic field exposure from this equipment was calculated using distance, load and other circuit information. There was no evidence that either proximity to electrical installations or the magnetic field levels they produce in the UK is associated with increased risk of c hildhood leukaemia or any other cancer. Odds ratios of 0.73 (95% CI = 0.42- 1.26) for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, 0.75 (95% CI = 0.45-1.25) for all leukaemias, 1.08 (95% CI = 0.56-2.09) for central nervous system cancers an d 0.92 (95% CI = 0.64-1.34) for all malignancies were obtained for residenc e within 50 m of an overhead line. When individuals with a calculated magne tic field exposure greater than or equal to 0.2 muT were compared to those in a reference category of exposure <0.1 <mu>T, odds ratios of 0.51 (95% CI = 0.11-2.33) for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, 0.41 (95% CI = 0.09-1.87) for total leukaemia, 0.48 (95% CI =0.06-3.76) for central nervous system ca ncers and 0.62 (95% CI = 0.24-1.61) for all malignancies were obtained. (C) 2000 Cancer Research Campaign http://www.bjcancer.com.