Extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields and cancer: How source of funding affects results

Abstract

Extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields and cancer: How source of funding affects results Carpenter DO. Extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields and cancer: How source of funding affects results. Environ Res. 2019 Aug 24;178:108688. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.108688. Abstract While there has been evidence indicating that excessive exposure to magnetic fields from 50 to 60 Hz electricity increases risk of cancer, many argue that the evidence is inconsistent and inconclusive. This is particularly the case regarding magnetic field exposure and childhood leukemia. A major goal of this study is to examine how source of funding influences the reported results and conclusions. Several meta-analyses dating from about 2000 all report significant associations between exposure and risk of leukemia. By examining subsequent reports on childhood leukemia it is clear that almost all government or independent studies find either a statistically significant association between magnetic field exposure and childhood leukemia, or an elevated risk of at least OR = 1.5, while almost all industry supported studies fail to find any significant or even suggestive association. A secondary goal of this report is to examine the level of evidence for exposure and elevated risk of various adult cancers. Based on pooled or meta-analyses as well as subsequent peer-reviewed studies there is strong evidence that excessive exposure to magnetic fields increases risk of adult leukemia, male and female breast cancer and brain cancer. There is less convincing but suggestive evidence for elevations in several other cancer types. There is less clear evidence for bias based on source of funding in the adult cancer studies. There is also some evidence that both paternal and maternal prenatal exposure to magnetic fields results in an increased risk of leukemia and brain cancer in offspring. When one allows for bias reflected in source of funding, the evidence that magnetic fields increase risk of cancer is neither inconsistent nor inconclusive. Furthermore adults are also at risk, not just children, and there is strong evidence for cancers in addition to leukemia, particularly brain and breast cancer. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

This review reports that several meta-analyses since about 2000 found significant associations between 50-60 Hz magnetic field exposure and childhood leukemia. It states that government or independent studies more often reported significant or elevated risks, whereas industry-supported studies generally did not, and concludes that there is strong evidence for increased risks of adult leukemia, breast cancer, and brain cancer with excessive magnetic field exposure.

Outcomes measured

• Childhood leukemia
• Adult leukemia
• Male breast cancer
• Female breast cancer
• Brain cancer
• Other adult cancers
• Offspring leukemia
• Offspring brain cancer

Limitations

• Review narrative is focused on how funding source may influence reported results and conclusions
• Sample size is not provided in the abstract
• The abstract does not describe search methods, inclusion criteria, or quantitative synthesis methods for this report
• Evidence for some adult cancers is described as less convincing or suggestive
• The abstract notes less clear evidence for funding-related bias in adult cancer studies

{
    "study_type": "review",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "ELF",
        "source": "other",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": null
    },
    "population": "Children and adults; includes consideration of prenatal parental exposure and offspring cancer risk",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Childhood leukemia",
        "Adult leukemia",
        "Male breast cancer",
        "Female breast cancer",
        "Brain cancer",
        "Other adult cancers",
        "Offspring leukemia",
        "Offspring brain cancer"
    ],
    "main_findings": "This review reports that several meta-analyses since about 2000 found significant associations between 50-60 Hz magnetic field exposure and childhood leukemia. It states that government or independent studies more often reported significant or elevated risks, whereas industry-supported studies generally did not, and concludes that there is strong evidence for increased risks of adult leukemia, breast cancer, and brain cancer with excessive magnetic field exposure.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Review narrative is focused on how funding source may influence reported results and conclusions",
        "Sample size is not provided in the abstract",
        "The abstract does not describe search methods, inclusion criteria, or quantitative synthesis methods for this report",
        "Evidence for some adult cancers is described as less convincing or suggestive",
        "The abstract notes less clear evidence for funding-related bias in adult cancer studies"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.88000000000000000444089209850062616169452667236328125,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "ELF",
        "extremely low frequency",
        "50-60 Hz",
        "magnetic fields",
        "cancer",
        "childhood leukemia",
        "adult leukemia",
        "breast cancer",
        "brain cancer",
        "funding bias",
        "prenatal exposure"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

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