Estimation of the general population and children under five years of age in France exposed to magnetic field from high or very high voltage power line using geographic information system and extrapolated field data

Environmental research · 2023 · Unclear · Insufficient evidence

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UnclearInsufficient evidencePaper 451

Depending on exposure scenario, an estimated 0.11% (n=67,893) to 1.01% (n=647,569) of the French population and 0.10% (n=4,712) to 1.03% (n=46,950) of children under five were living in areas potentially exposed to magnetic fields from high/very high voltage …

Study snapshot

PublicationEnvironmental research · 2023

Study typeexposure_assessment

Reported directionUnclear

Evidence ratingInsufficient

Abstract

Estimation of the general population and children under five years of age in France exposed to magnetic field from high or very high voltage power line using geographic information system and extrapolated field data Deshayes-Pinçon F, Morlais F, Roth-Delgado O, Merckel O, Lacour B, Launoy G, Launay L, Dejardin O. Estimation of the general population and children under five years of age in France exposed to magnetic field from high or very high voltage power line using geographic information system and extrapolated field data. Environ Res. 2023 Jun 14:116425. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116425. Abstract Background: The effects of extremely low-frequency magnetic fields, especially their long-term health effects, including childhood leukaemia, remain elusive. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified the exposure to magnetic fields >0.4 μT as 'possibly carcinogenic to humans (group 2 B)' for childhood leukaemia. However, the number of exposed individuals, particularly children, remains poorly documented in international literature. The objective of this study was to estimate the number of individuals living near a high or very high voltage line in France (≥63 kV), among the general population and children under the age of five years. Methods: The estimate considered different exposure scenarios depending on the line voltage and the distance of the housing from it, and whether the line is overhead or underground. The exposure scenarios were obtained using a multilevel linear model created from a measurement database published by "Réseau de transport d'électricité", the operator of the French electricity transmission network. Results: Between 0.11% (n = 67,893) and 1.01% (n = 647,569) of the French population and between 0.10% (n = 4712) and 1.03% (n = 46,950) of children under five years of age were estimated to be living in an area potentially exposed to a magnetic field, depending on the exposure scenario (>0.4 μT and >0.1 μT, respectively). Conclusions: By making it possible to estimate the total number of residents, schools, and health institutions near high-voltage power lines, the proposed methodology can help identify potential co-exposures near high- voltage power lines, which are regularly cited as a possible explanation for contradictory results from epidemiological studies. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeexposure_assessment

Effect directionunclear

PopulationGeneral population in France and children under five years of age living near high or very high voltage power lines (≥63 kV).

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF

Evidence strengthInsufficientConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Estimated proportion and number of residents potentially exposed to magnetic fields near high/very high voltage power lines
Estimated proportion and number of children under five potentially exposed
Counts of residents, schools, and health institutions near high-voltage power lines (methodological capability)

Limitations

Health effects were not assessed; study focuses on estimating potentially exposed populations.
Exposure scenarios were based on extrapolated fields from a multilevel linear model using an existing measurement database.
Results depend on scenario assumptions (line voltage, distance, overhead vs underground) and chosen exposure thresholds.

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "exposure_assessment",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "high or very high voltage power line",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "General population in France and children under five years of age living near high or very high voltage power lines (≥63 kV).",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Estimated proportion and number of residents potentially exposed to magnetic fields near high/very high voltage power lines",
    "Estimated proportion and number of children under five potentially exposed",
    "Counts of residents, schools, and health institutions near high-voltage power lines (methodological capability)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Depending on exposure scenario, an estimated 0.11% (n=67,893) to 1.01% (n=647,569) of the French population and 0.10% (n=4,712) to 1.03% (n=46,950) of children under five were living in areas potentially exposed to magnetic fields from high/very high voltage lines, using thresholds >0.4 μT and >0.1 μT respectively.",
  "effect_direction": "unclear",
  "limitations": [
    "Health effects were not assessed; study focuses on estimating potentially exposed populations.",
    "Exposure scenarios were based on extrapolated fields from a multilevel linear model using an existing measurement database.",
    "Results depend on scenario assumptions (line voltage, distance, overhead vs underground) and chosen exposure thresholds."
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "extremely low-frequency magnetic fields",
    "ELF",
    "power lines",
    "high voltage",
    "very high voltage",
    "GIS",
    "exposure assessment",
    "France",
    "children under five",
    "0.4 μT",
    "0.1 μT"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0,
      "reason": null
    }
  ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116425
PubMed: 37327843

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