ID Number		515
Study Type		Epidemiology
Model		Occupational ELF exposure to workers in various job categories in England and correlation with cancer
Details		Human subjects with leukemia (n = 113) were analyzed to determine whether there was an association with occupations using electricity and/or RF exposure. Data on leukemia cases was collected from the South Thames Cancer Registry. While most of the analysis in this group of studies was dedicated to ELF exposure from electrical sources, a statistically significant association described in the Lancet, 1983, 1:982-983 study was reported for telegraph/radio operators (OR 2.46) . In addition, chronic myeloid leukemia was especially elevated in telegraph/radio operators (OR 6.05), although there were only 3 cases in the study making statistical analysis difficult. The authors conclude that the results were consistent with other occupational studies that suggest an increased risk of leukemia among workers in occupations using electricity. In another study (Br J Cancer (1989) 60:793-798; Int J Epidemiol (1988) 17(1):1-13), people in the area around London, England were analyzed in a case control study to determine whether a correlation existed between residence near electrical transmission and distribution equipment and leukemia. The risk ratio of total leukemia as well as various disease subtypes and residence near high-tension lines and transformer substations was not statistically significant and showed no trend that might indicate a possible association. The authors interpret these findings as providing no evidence of an association between residence near transmission facilities and increased leukemia risk. Other reports that the author contributed to (Eur J Cancer (1991) 27:1504-1519) suggest the ELF associated with electricity production might be implicated in adverse health effects, and hypothesize that electricity exposure might interact with phorbol esters to promote cancer and suppress the cytotoxicity of T-lymphocytes. The authors take issue with comments from other scientists that possible influence of ELF from electric sources as well as RF from amateur radios on leukemia development could not possibly exist (Lancet (1985) 2:106-107; Lancet (1990) 336:1259; Br J Cancer (1990) 62:331-332)
Findings		Effects
Status		Completed With Publication
Principal Investigator		IARC, Lyon France
Funding Agency		Private/Instit.
Country		FRANCE
References		Coleman, M et al. Lancet, (1983) :982-983 Coleman, M Lancet, (1985) :106-107
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