Distance from residence to power line and risk of childhood leukemia: a population-based case-control study in Denmark

Cancer Causes Control · 2014 · No effect · Moderate evidence

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No effectModerate evidencePaper 2734

Study snapshot

PublicationCancer Causes Control · 2014

Study typecase_control

Reported directionNo effect

Evidence ratingModerate

Abstract

Purpose: Epidemiological studies have found an association between exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) and childhood leukemia. In 2005, a large British study showed an association between proximity of residence to high-voltage power lines and the risk of childhood leukemia. The association extended beyond distances at which the 'power line'-induced magnetic fields exceed background levels, suggesting that the association was not explained by the magnetic field, but might be due to chance, bias, or other risk factors associated with proximity to power lines. Our aim was to conduct a comparable study in an independent setting (Denmark). Methods: We included 1,698 cases aged <15, diagnosed with leukemia during 1968-2006, from the Danish Cancer Registry and 3,396 controls randomly selected from the Danish childhood population and individually matched by gender and year of birth. We used geographical information systems to determine the distance between residence at birth and the nearest 132-400 kV overhead power line. Results: Odds ratios (ORs) were 0.76 [95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.40-1.45] for children who lived 0-199 m from the nearest power line and 0.92 (95 % CI 0.67-1.25) for those who lived 200-599 m away when compared with children who lived ≥600 m away. When restricting the analysis to 220 and 400 kV overhead power lines, the OR for children who lived 200-599 m from a power line was 1.76 (95 % CI 0.82-3.77) compared to children who lived ≥600 m away. However, chance is a likely explanation for this finding as the result was not significant, numbers were small, and there were no indications of an higher risk closer to the lines since no cases were observed within 200 m of these. Conclusions: We found no higher risk of leukemia for children living 0-199 m or for children living 200-599 m of a 132-400 kV overhead power line. A slightly elevated OR for children living between 200 and 599 m of a 220-400 kV overhead power line is likely to be a chance finding.

Machine Enhanced Logic

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 directionno_effect

PopulationChildren in Denmark aged <15 years (leukemia cases diagnosed 1968–2006) with residence at birth assessed

Sample size5094

ExposureELF

Evidence strengthModerateConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In this Danish population-based case-control study, living 0–199 m from a 132–400 kV overhead power line was not associated with higher leukemia risk (OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.40–1.45) compared with living ≥600 m away; living 200–599 m away also showed no increased risk (OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.67–1.25). In a restricted analysis of 220–400 kV lines, the OR for 200–599 m was 1.76 (95% CI 0.82–3.77), which the authors interpret as likely due to chance given non-significance, small numbers, and no cases within 200 m.

Outcomes measured

Childhood leukemia

Limitations

Exposure metric was residential distance to nearest power line at birth rather than measured magnetic-field levels
Restricted analysis (220–400 kV) had small numbers and non-significant estimate
No cases observed within 200 m of 220–400 kV lines, limiting inference about closest distances

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "case_control",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "overhead high-voltage power lines (132–400 kV)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Children in Denmark aged <15 years (leukemia cases diagnosed 1968–2006) with residence at birth assessed",
  "sample_size": 5094,
  "outcomes": [
    "Childhood leukemia"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In this Danish population-based case-control study, living 0–199 m from a 132–400 kV overhead power line was not associated with higher leukemia risk (OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.40–1.45) compared with living ≥600 m away; living 200–599 m away also showed no increased risk (OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.67–1.25). In a restricted analysis of 220–400 kV lines, the OR for 200–599 m was 1.76 (95% CI 0.82–3.77), which the authors interpret as likely due to chance given non-significance, small numbers, and no cases within 200 m.",
  "effect_direction": "no_effect",
  "limitations": [
    "Exposure metric was residential distance to nearest power line at birth rather than measured magnetic-field levels",
    "Restricted analysis (220–400 kV) had small numbers and non-significant estimate",
    "No cases observed within 200 m of 220–400 kV lines, limiting inference about closest distances"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "moderate",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "childhood leukemia",
    "case-control",
    "Denmark",
    "power lines",
    "proximity",
    "distance",
    "ELF magnetic fields",
    "overhead transmission lines",
    "GIS"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "power-lines",
      "weight": 0.95,
      "reason": "Study evaluates residential proximity to high-voltage overhead power lines and childhood leukemia risk."
    },
    {
      "slug": "childhood-leukemia",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Primary outcome is childhood leukemia."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.1007/s10552-013-0319-5
PubMed: 24197706

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