Proximity to overhead power lines and childhood leukaemia

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This was a meta-analysis of 11 case-control studies investigating the relationship between childhood leukaemia and overhead power lines. The meta-analysis included 29,000 cases and 68,000 controls. Exposure to participants was assessed by residential distance to power lines. Further, exposure was also categorised by the voltage of the power lines. There was a small association found for residential distances of less than 50 meters from power lines with voltages of 200 kilovolts or higher when the diagnosis was made before 5 years of age (odds ratio (OR) = 1.65 (95% confidence interval (95% CI) of 1.02-2.67). The study also examined possible confounders including extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic field exposure. Adjustment of the data to take into account magnetic field exposure had little impact on the reported association. This may suggest that childhood leukaemia may not be related to magnetic field exposure.

Proximity to overhead power lines and childhood leukaemia: an international pooled analysis

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Some epidemiological studies observing outcomes from exposure to ELF magnetic fields greater than 0.3 or 0.4 microtesla have shown an association with childhood leukaemia. However, this association has not been established by consistent scientific evidence. The majority of the evidence comes from studies assessing exposure via residential distance to power lines. There is less evidence from studies performing residential magnetic field measurements. The Amour et al study provides further evidence that a possible association with living next to power lines is due to factors other than ELF magnetic fields.