Childhood Leukemia Not Linked with ELF Magnetic Fields

Abstract

The discussion whether extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields (MF) are causally linked with childhood leukemia is ongoing for almost four decades. Results of epidemiologic studies have indicated such an association might exist and led to IARC’s classification of ELF MF as possibly carcinogenic (class 2B). Although in the meanwhile many epidemiologic studies and meta-analyses of selected studies are available, this did not change the situation. By a new approach of pooling all epidemiologic data, this paper shows that it is possible to come to a convincing conclusion which explains controversial results and reports dose-response relationship, and provides answers to striking facts such as that epidemiologic results on childhood leukemia are independent from field source or exposure metric of whatever kind with no specific favorite. The analysis revealed that the assumption of a causal link between ELF MF exposure and childhood leukemia is no longer plausible and hence that ELF MF’s classification as possibly carcinogenic needs revision.