ZIA CP010135-04040 (ZIA) | |||
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Title | A collaborative case-control study of childhood leukemia and EMF and radon exposu | ||
Institution | NCI, Bethesda, MD | ||
Principal Investigator | Linet | NCI Program Director | N/A |
Cancer Activity | N/A | Division | DCEG |
Funded Amount | $16,733 | Project Dates | 09/01/1989 - N/A |
Fiscal Year | 2009 | Project Type | Intramural |
Research Topics w/ Percent Relevance | Cancer Types w/ Percent Relevance | ||
Biochemical Epidemiology (45.0%) Cancer (100.0%) Childhood Cancers (100.0%) |
Childhood Leukemia (100.0%) Leukemia (100.0%) |
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Research Type | |||
Exogenous Factors in the Origin and Cause of Cancer Interactions of Genes and/or Genetic Polymorphisms with Exogenous and/or Endogenous Factors |
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Abstract | |||
To address public concern and limitations of previous studies, a large case-control study was undertaken with the Children's Cancer Group (an NCI-funded clinical trials cooperative group) to evaluate the possible role of extremely low frequency magnetic field exposures (50- or 60-Hertz) from power lines and electrical appliances in risk of childhood leukemia. Neither direct residential magnetic field measurements nor proxy measures (e.g., wire codes) were associated with significantly increased risks of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Wire code categories were highly reproducible among wire coding technicians and were well-correlated with measured magnetic field levels. Based on interview data, risks were significantly elevated in offspring whose mothers reported use of an electric blanket during pregnancy, but significantly reduced in offspring whose mothers used sewing machines prenatally. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia was also increased among children whose mothers reported postnatal use of electric blankets, hair dryers, video machines in arcades, and video games connected to televisions postnatally, but the patterns for duration or frequency of use of these appliances were inconsistent. While risks rose with increasing number of hours per day children spent watching television, risks were similar regardless of the usual distance from the television. Before ascribing the associations to magnetic field exposures, inconsistency in the dose-response patterns as well as potential reporting and selection biases should be considered as well as results of a recent study in which measurements were obtained at standardized distances from selected electrical appliances. |