Exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields and childhood cancer: A systematic review and meta- analysis
Abstract
Exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields and childhood cancer: A systematic review and meta- analysis GyeongAe Seomun, Juneyoung Lee, Jinkyung Park. Exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields and childhood cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS ONE 16(5): e0251628. May 14, 2021. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0251628. Abstract Background Extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MFs) are classified as a possible carcinogenic factor (Group 2B). This study assessed the association between ELF-MFs and childhood cancer through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods Three databases were searched in January 2020. We conducted a meta-analysis for the association between the ELF-MFs exposure level and childhood cancer. Results A total of 33 studies were identified. Thirty studies with 186,223 participants were included in the meta- analysis. Children exposed to 0.2-, 0.3-, and 0.4-μT ELF-MFs had a 1.26 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06–1.49), 1.22 (95% CI 0.93–1.61), and 1.72 (95% CI 1.25–2.35) times higher odds of childhood leukemia. In childhood brain tumors, children exposed to 0.2-μT had a 0.95 (95% CI 0.59–1.56) times higher odds, and those exposed to 0.4-μT ELF-MFs had a 1.25 (95% CI 0.93–1.61). Children exposed to 0.2- and 0.4-μT ELF-MFs had a 1.10 (95% CI 0.70–1.75) and 2.01 (95% CI 0.89–4.52) times higher odds of any childhood cancers. Conclusions Significant associations were observed between exposure to ELF-MFs and childhood leukemia. Furthermore, a possible dose-response effect was also observed. Excerpts The debate on the effect of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) on the human body still continues, and several studies have investigated the effect of magnetic fields that are not well shielded by objects [1–3]. The question of whether exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MFs) from power transmission and distribution or the use of electrical appliances is associated with an increased risk of childhood cancer has engendered scientific debate [4–6]. In 2001, the ELF-MFs were classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as possibly carcinogenic (Group 2B), based on the limited clinical evidence, inadequate experimental support, and the lack of plausible mechanisms at the exposure levels that were observed in epidemiological studies [7, 8]. This classification was endorsed by the subsequent weight of evidence assessments carried out by the World Health Organization (WHO) [8]. Subsequently, clinical evidence emerged from epidemiological studies on the etiology of childhood leukemia that indicated a weak association with ELF-MFs [9–12].... Conclusions In this large pooled analysis of more than 36,000 children diagnosed with childhood leukemia, statistically significant associations were observed between exposure to ELF-MF and childhood leukemia. Furthermore, the intensity of the association between exposure to ELF-MFs and childhood leukemia was high, as indicated by the dose–response effect. The risk of ELF-MFs, which have been classified as a possibly carcinogenic (Group 2B) factor based on limited evidence in humans, can be ascertained through precise evidence from the integrated results of this study. Open access paper: journals.plos.org
AI evidence extraction
Main findings
This systematic review/meta-analysis (30 studies; 186,223 participants) reported higher odds of childhood leukemia at ELF magnetic field exposure thresholds of 0.2 µT (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.06–1.49) and 0.4 µT (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.25–2.35), while the 0.3 µT estimate was not statistically significant (OR 1.22, 95% CI 0.93–1.61). For childhood brain tumors and any childhood cancers, the reported odds ratios were closer to null and/or imprecise, with confidence intervals including 1. The authors conclude significant associations for childhood leukemia and describe a possible dose-response pattern.
Outcomes measured
- Childhood leukemia
- Childhood brain tumors
- Any childhood cancers
Suggested hubs
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power-lines
(0.86) The exposure context includes ELF magnetic fields from power transmission and distribution.
-
who-icnirp
(0.52) The abstract references IARC classification and WHO weight-of-evidence assessments.
View raw extracted JSON
{
"publication_year": 2021,
"study_type": "meta_analysis",
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"outcomes": [
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"main_findings": "This systematic review/meta-analysis (30 studies; 186,223 participants) reported higher odds of childhood leukemia at ELF magnetic field exposure thresholds of 0.2 µT (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.06–1.49) and 0.4 µT (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.25–2.35), while the 0.3 µT estimate was not statistically significant (OR 1.22, 95% CI 0.93–1.61). For childhood brain tumors and any childhood cancers, the reported odds ratios were closer to null and/or imprecise, with confidence intervals including 1. The authors conclude significant associations for childhood leukemia and describe a possible dose-response pattern.",
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"summary": "This 2021 systematic review and meta-analysis pooled 30 studies (186,223 participants) to assess associations between extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MFs) and childhood cancer. The meta-analysis reported statistically significant higher odds of childhood leukemia at 0.2 µT and 0.4 µT exposure thresholds, with a non-significant estimate at 0.3 µT. For childhood brain tumors and any childhood cancers, estimates were generally near null and/or imprecise. The authors report a possible dose-response pattern for childhood leukemia.",
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"Three databases were searched (January 2020) and 33 studies were identified, with 30 included in the meta-analysis.",
"The meta-analysis included 186,223 participants across included studies.",
"Childhood leukemia showed higher odds at 0.2 µT (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.06–1.49) and 0.4 µT (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.25–2.35) ELF-MF exposure thresholds.",
"The 0.3 µT leukemia estimate was not statistically significant (OR 1.22, 95% CI 0.93–1.61).",
"For childhood brain tumors, reported estimates at 0.2 µT and 0.4 µT had confidence intervals including 1.",
"For any childhood cancers, reported estimates were imprecise with confidence intervals including 1.",
"The authors conclude significant associations for childhood leukemia and describe a possible dose-response effect.",
"The paper notes ELF-MFs are classified by IARC as possibly carcinogenic (Group 2B) and references WHO weight-of-evidence assessments."
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"tags": [
"Extremely Low Frequency",
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"Childhood Leukemia",
"Brain Tumors",
"Dose-Response",
"Systematic Review",
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"social": {
"tweet": "Meta-analysis (30 studies; 186,223 participants) reports higher odds of childhood leukemia at ELF magnetic field exposure thresholds of 0.2 µT and 0.4 µT, with a possible dose-response pattern; brain tumor and overall childhood cancer estimates were generally imprecise.",
"facebook": "A 2021 systematic review and meta-analysis pooling 30 studies (186,223 participants) found statistically significant associations between extremely low-frequency magnetic field exposure and childhood leukemia at 0.2 µT and 0.4 µT thresholds, and described a possible dose-response pattern. Estimates for childhood brain tumors and any childhood cancers were closer to null and/or imprecise.",
"linkedin": "Systematic review/meta-analysis (PLoS ONE, 2021) pooling 30 studies (186,223 participants) reports significant associations between ELF magnetic field exposure and childhood leukemia at 0.2 µT and 0.4 µT thresholds, with a possible dose-response pattern; findings for brain tumors and overall childhood cancers were less conclusive."
}
}
AI can be wrong. Always verify against the paper.
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