RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Stillbirth and residential proximity to extremely low frequency power transmission lines: a retrospective cohort study
JF Occupational and Environmental Medicine
JO Occup Environ Med
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP 147
OP 149
DO 10.1136/oemed-2011-100031
VO 69
IS 2
A1 Nathalie Auger
A1 Alison L Park
A1 Soumana Yacouba
A1 Marc Goneau
A1 Joseph Zayed
YR 2012
UL http://oem.bmj.com/content/69/2/147.abstract
AB Objectives The relationship between electromagnetic field exposure and stillbirth has not been evaluated. We assessed associations between residential proximity to extremely low frequency power transmission lines and stillbirth across gestational age.Methods Data included singleton live births (N=514 826) and stillbirths (N=2033) for 1998–2007 in metropolitan areas of Québec, Canada. Using power transmission line maps, the distances between lines and residential six-digit postal codes (<25, 25–49.9, 50–74.9, 75–99.9, ≥100 m) were calculated. Generalised estimating equations were used to compute ORs and 95% CIs for distance and stillbirth, accounting for individual and area characteristics. Early preterm (<28 weeks), late preterm (28–36 weeks) and term (≥37 weeks) stillbirths were examined relative to fetuses-at-risk.Results There was no association between distance and preterm stillbirth. The odds of term stillbirth for <25 m were greater compared to ≥100 m (OR 2.25, 95% CI 1.14 to 4.45), but no dose–response pattern was apparent.Conclusions A graded dose–response trend between distance to lines and odds of stillbirth was not found, but the likelihood of term stillbirth was elevated for residences within 25 m of power transmission lines. Residential proximity to transmission lines is unlikely to be associated with stillbirth, but more research is needed to rule out a possible link.