Leukaemia mortality in relation to magnetic field exposure: findings from a study of United Kingdom electricity generation and transmission workers, 1973-97
J M Harrington, L Nichols, T Sorahan, M van Tongeren
Institute of
Occupational Health, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham
B15 2TT, UK
Correspondence to: T M Sorahan T.M.Sorahan{at}bham.ac.uk
Accepted 15 January
2001
OBJECTIVE
To
investigate whether risks of leukaemia are related to occupational
exposure to magnetic fields.
METHODSThe
mortality experienced by a cohort of 83 997 employees of the former
Central Electricity Generating Board of England and Wales was
investigated for the period 1973-97. All employees were employed for
at least 6 months with some employment in the period 1973-82.
Computerised work histories were available for 79 972 study subjects
for the period 1971-93. Detailed calculations were performed by others
to enable a novel assessment to be made of exposures to magnetic
fields. Two analytical approaches were used, indirect standardisation
(n=83 997) and Poisson regression (n=79 972).
RESULTSBased
on serial mortalities for England and Wales, the standardised mortality
ratio of 84 for all leukaemias (observed 111, expected 132.3) was
similar to that of 83 for all causes (observed 14 845, expected
17 918). No significant positive trends were found for the risks of
various types of leukaemia (chronic lymphatic leukaemia, acute myeloid
leukaemia, chronic myeloid leukaemia, all leukaemia) either with
lifetime cumulative exposure to magnetic fields or with such exposures
received in the most recent 5 years.
CONCLUSIONSThere
are no discernible excess risks of leukaemia as a consequence of
occupational exposure to magnetic fields in United Kingdom electricity
generation and transmission workers.
Keywords: magnetic fields; leukaemia; electricity generation and transmission; cohort mortality study
© 2001 by Occupational and Environmental Medicine
CiteULike 
Complore 
Connotea 
Del.icio.us 
Digg 
Reddit 
Technorati What's this?
This article has been cited by other articles:
-
Kheifets, L, Bowman, J D, Checkoway, H, Feychting, M, Harrington, J M, Kavet, R, Marsh, G, Mezei, G, Renew, D C, van Wijngaarden, E
(2009). Future needs of occupational epidemiology of extremely low frequency electric and magnetic fields: review and recommendations. Occup. Environ. Med.
66: 72-80
[Abstract] [Full Text] -
Nichols, L., Sorahan, T.
(2005). Mortality of UK electricity generation and transmission workers, 1973-2002. Occup Med (Lond)
55: 541-548
[Abstract] [Full Text] -
Willett, E V, McKinney, P A, Fear, N T, Cartwright, R A, Roman, E
(2003). Occupational exposure to electromagnetic fields and acute leukaemia: analysis of a case-control study. Occup. Environ. Med.
60: 577-583
[Abstract] [Full Text] -
Sorahan, T, Nichols, L, van Tongeren, M, Harrington, J M
(2001). Occupational exposure to magnetic fields relative to mortality from brain tumours: updated and revised findings from a study of United Kingdom electricity generation and transmission workers, 1973-97. Occup. Environ. Med.
58: 626-630
[Abstract] [Full Text]
- Full Text
- Full Text (PDF)
- Submit a response
- Alert me when this article is cited
- Alert me when eLetters are posted
- Alert me if a correction is posted
- Citation Map
Services
- Email this link to a friend
- Similar articles in this journal
- Similar articles in PubMed
- Add article to my folders
- Download to citation manager
- Request Permissions
Citing Articles
Google Scholar
PubMed
Topic Collections
Bookmark with
Register for free content
The full back archive is now available for all BMJ Journals. Institutional subscribers may access the entire archive as part of their subscription. Personal subscribers will also have access to all content when logged in. Non-subscribers who register have free access to all articles published before 2006 right back to volume 1 issue 1. Register here to access the free archive of all BMJ Journals.
Don't forget to sign up for content alerts so you keep up to date with all the articles as they are published.
