Extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) and radiofrequency: Risk of childhood CNS tumors in a city with elevated ELF-MF exposure

Environ Res · 2025 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 2533

In this Mexico City case-control study, elevated residential ELF-MF exposure (>=0.4 μT) was significantly associated with increased childhood CNST risk (aOR 2.39, 95% CI 1.15-5.00). Cell phone use did not differ between cases and controls, while prolonged tab…

Study snapshot

PublicationEnviron Res · 2025

Study typecase_control

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Category: Epidemiology Tags: ELF-MF, radiofrequency, childhood cancer, CNS tumors, Mexico City, exposure assessment, tablet use DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2025.122858 URL: sciencedirect.com Overview Central nervous system tumors (CNSTs) are the second most common childhood cancer. With unclear etiology, recent concerns have risen regarding the effects of extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) and radiofrequency (RF) exposures. This study was conducted to examine the potential relationship between these exposures and CNST risk among Mexico City's pediatric population. Methods - Design: Case-control study (2017–2022) in Mexico City - Participants: 200 CNST patients, 793 controls (all under 16 years old) - Exposure Assessment: - Residential ELF-MF measured over a 24-hour period - RF exposure evaluated via duration of cell phone and electronic device usage - Reference Groups: ELF-MF exposure <0.1 μT, lowest RF quartile (Q1) - Data Analysis: R and SPSS software Findings - 5.1% of participants had ELF-MF exposure ≥0.3 μT. - Significant association: Elevated ELF-MF exposure (≥0.4 μT) doubled the risk of CNST (aOR=2.39; 95% CI: 1.15-5.00). - No association between cell phone use and CNST risk. - Prolonged tablet use linked to substantial CNST risk: - aOR=2.53 (95% CI: 1.39-4.61) with internet use - aOR=3.53 (95% CI: 1.45-8.59) without internet use Conclusion A significant portion of Mexico City children are exposed to ELF-MF levels ≥0.3 μT—higher than global averages. Elevated residential ELF-MF exposure and prolonged tablet use, both with and without internet connectivity, were significantly linked to increased childhood CNST risk. Highlights - Many Mexico City children exposed to ELF-MF ≥0.3 μT, surpassing global norms. - Elevated ELF-MF exposure correlates with increased childhood CNS tumor risk. - Prolonged tablet use also linked to higher CNST risk, especially in ages 6-10. - No CNST risk detected from cell phone use.

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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 typecase_control

Effect directionmixed

PopulationPediatric population in Mexico City, under 16 years old, including 200 CNS tumor cases and 793 controls

Sample size993

ExposureELF and RF · ELF-MF measured over 24 h; RF assessed via total duration of cell phone calls and electronic device usage (with and without internet)

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 92% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Childhood central nervous system tumors (CNST) risk

Limitations

Case-control design
RF exposure was assessed through reported duration of device use rather than direct RF measurements
Only residential ELF-MF exposure was measured over a 24 h period
Abstract does not report full adjustment details

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "case_control",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF and RF",
    "source": "residential ELF-MF; cell phone and tablet/electronic device use",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "ELF-MF measured over 24 h; RF assessed via total duration of cell phone calls and electronic device usage (with and without internet)"
  },
  "population": "Pediatric population in Mexico City, under 16 years old, including 200 CNS tumor cases and 793 controls",
  "sample_size": 993,
  "outcomes": [
    "Childhood central nervous system tumors (CNST) risk"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In this Mexico City case-control study, elevated residential ELF-MF exposure (>=0.4 μT) was significantly associated with increased childhood CNST risk (aOR 2.39, 95% CI 1.15-5.00). Cell phone use did not differ between cases and controls, while prolonged tablet use with and without internet was significantly associated with increased CNST risk.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Case-control design",
    "RF exposure was assessed through reported duration of device use rather than direct RF measurements",
    "Only residential ELF-MF exposure was measured over a 24 h period",
    "Abstract does not report full adjustment details"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.92,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "ELF-MF",
    "radiofrequency",
    "childhood CNS tumors",
    "CNST",
    "case-control",
    "Mexico City",
    "residential exposure",
    "cell phone use",
    "tablet use",
    "pediatric cancer"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}

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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.2025.122858
PubMed: Not supplied

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