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Crespi CM, Sudan M, Juutilainen J, Roivainen P, Hareuveny R, Huss A, Kandel S, Karim-Kos HE, Thuróczy G, Jakab Z, Spycher BD, Flueckiger B, Vermeulen R, Vergara X, Kheifets L. International study of childhood leukemia in residences near electrical transformer rooms. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 249:118459. [PMID: 38346482 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES New epidemiologic approaches are needed to reduce the scientific uncertainty surrounding the association between extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) and childhood leukemia. While most previous studies focused on power lines, the Transformer Exposure study sought to assess this association using a multi-country study of children who had lived in buildings with built-in electrical transformers. ELF-MF in apartments above built-in transformers can be 5 times higher than in other apartments in the same building. This novel study design aimed to maximize the inclusion of highly exposed children while minimising the potential for selection bias. METHODS We assessed associations between residential proximity to transformers and risk of childhood leukemia using registry based matched case-control data collected in five countries. Exposure was based on the location of the subject's apartment relative to the transformer, coded as high (above or adjacent to transformer), intermediate (same floor as apartments in high category), or unexposed (other apartments). Relative risk (RR) for childhood leukemia was estimated using conditional logistic and mixed logistic regression with a random effect for case-control set. RESULTS Data pooling across countries yielded 16 intermediate and 3 highly exposed cases. RRs were 1.0 (95% CI: 0.5, 1.9) for intermediate and 1.1 (95% CI: 0.3, 3.8) for high exposure in the conditional logistic model. In the mixed logistic model, RRs were 1.4 (95% CI: 0.8, 2.5) for intermediate and 1.3 (95% CI: 0.4, 4.4) for high. Data of the most influential country showed RRs of 1.1 (95% CI: 0.5, 2.4) and 1.7 (95% CI: 0.4, 7.2) for intermediate (8 cases) and high (2 cases) exposure. DISCUSSION Overall, evidence for an elevated risk was weak. However, small numbers and wide confidence intervals preclude strong conclusions and a risk of the magnitude observed in power line studies cannot be excluded.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine M Crespi
- University of California Los Angeles Fielding School of Public Health, 650 Charles E Young Dr S, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
| | - Madhuri Sudan
- University of California Los Angeles Fielding School of Public Health, 650 Charles E Young Dr S, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA; Kaweah Health Medical Center, Visalia, CA, USA.
| | - Jukka Juutilainen
- University of Eastern Finland, Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Kuopio, Finland.
| | - Päivi Roivainen
- University of Eastern Finland, Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Kuopio, Finland.
| | | | - Anke Huss
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | | | | | - György Thuróczy
- National Center for Public Health and Pharmacy, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Zsuzsanna Jakab
- National Childhood Oncologic Registry, Department of Pediatrics, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Ben D Spycher
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Benjamin Flueckiger
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Roel Vermeulen
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - Ximena Vergara
- University of California Los Angeles Fielding School of Public Health, 650 Charles E Young Dr S, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
| | - Leeka Kheifets
- University of California Los Angeles Fielding School of Public Health, 650 Charles E Young Dr S, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
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Sarimov RM, Serov DA, Gudkov SV. Biological Effects of Magnetic Storms and ELF Magnetic Fields. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1506. [PMID: 38132332 PMCID: PMC10740910 DOI: 10.3390/biology12121506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Magnetic fields are a constant and essential part of our environment. The main components of ambient magnetic fields are the constant part of the geomagnetic field, its fluctuations caused by magnetic storms, and man-made magnetic fields. These fields refer to extremely-low-frequency (<1 kHz) magnetic fields (ELF-MFs). Since the 1980s, a huge amount of data has been accumulated on the biological effects of magnetic fields, in particular ELF-MFs. However, a unified picture of the patterns of action of magnetic fields has not been formed. Even though a unified mechanism has not yet been generally accepted, several theories have been proposed. In this review, we attempted to take a new approach to analyzing the quantitative data on the effects of ELF-MFs to identify new potential areas for research. This review provides general descriptions of the main effects of magnetic storms and anthropogenic fields on living organisms (molecular-cellular level and whole organism) and a brief description of the main mechanisms of magnetic field effects on living organisms. This review may be of interest to specialists in the fields of biology, physics, medicine, and other interdisciplinary areas.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sergey V. Gudkov
- Prokhorov General Physics Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 38 Vavilova Street, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (R.M.S.); (D.A.S.)
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3
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Nguyen A, Crespi CM, Vergara X, Kheifets L. Pesticides as a potential independent childhood leukemia risk factor and as a potential confounder for electromagnetic fields exposure. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 238:116899. [PMID: 37598846 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Both pesticides and high magnetic fields are suspected to be childhood leukemia risk factors. Pesticides are utilized at commercial plant nurseries, which sometimes occupy the areas underneath high-voltage powerlines. OBJECTIVES To evaluate whether potential pesticide exposures (intended use, chemical class, active ingredient) utilized at plant nurseries act as an independent childhood leukemia risk factor or as a confounder for proximity to, or magnetic fields exposure from, high-voltage powerlines. METHODS We conducted a state-wide records-based case-control study for California with 5788 childhood leukemia cases and 5788 controls that examined specific pesticide use, magnetic field exposures and distances to both powerlines and plant nurseries. Exposure assessment incorporated geographic information systems, aerial satellite images, and other historical information. RESULTS Childhood leukemia risk was potentially elevated for several active pesticide ingredients: permethrin (odds ratio (OR) 1.49, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.83-2.67), chlorpyrifos (OR 1.29, 95% CI 0.89-1.87), dimethoate (OR 1.79, 95% CI 0.85-3.76), mancozeb (OR 1.41, 95% CI 0.85-2.33), oxyfluorfen (OR 1.41, 95% CI 0.75-2.66), oryzalin (OR 1.60, 95% CI 0.97-2.63), and pendimethalin (OR 1.82, 95% CI 0.81-2.25). Rodenticide (OR 1.42, 95% CI 0.78-2.56) and molluscicide (OR 1.22, 95% CI 0.82-1.81) exposure also presented potentially elevated childhood leukemia risks. Childhood leukemia associations with calculated fields or powerline proximity did not materially change after adjusting for pesticide exposure. Childhood leukemia risks with powerline proximity remained similar when pesticide exposures were excluded. DISCUSSION Pesticide exposure may be an independent childhood leukemia risk factor. Childhood leukemia risks for powerline proximity and magnetic fields exposure were not explained by pesticide exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Nguyen
- Department of Epidemiology, University of California Los Angeles Fielding School of Public Health, 650 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1772, USA.
| | - C M Crespi
- Department of Biostatistics, University of California Los Angeles Fielding School of Public Health, 650 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1772, USA.
| | - X Vergara
- Department of Epidemiology, University of California Los Angeles Fielding School of Public Health, 650 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1772, USA.
| | - L Kheifets
- Department of Epidemiology, University of California Los Angeles Fielding School of Public Health, 650 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1772, USA.
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4
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Uzhytchak M, Smolková B, Frtús A, Stupakov A, Lunova M, Scollo F, Hof M, Jurkiewicz P, Sullivan GJ, Dejneka A, Lunov O. Sensitivity of endogenous autofluorescence in HeLa cells to the application of external magnetic fields. Sci Rep 2023; 13:10818. [PMID: 37402779 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-38015-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Dramatically increased levels of electromagnetic radiation in the environment have raised concerns over the potential health hazards of electromagnetic fields. Various biological effects of magnetic fields have been proposed. Despite decades of intensive research, the molecular mechanisms procuring cellular responses remain largely unknown. The current literature is conflicting with regards to evidence that magnetic fields affect functionality directly at the cellular level. Therefore, a search for potential direct cellular effects of magnetic fields represents a cornerstone that may propose an explanation for potential health hazards associated with magnetic fields. It has been proposed that autofluorescence of HeLa cells is magnetic field sensitive, relying on single-cell imaging kinetic measurements. Here, we investigate the magnetic field sensitivity of an endogenous autofluorescence in HeLa cells. Under the experimental conditions used, magnetic field sensitivity of an endogenous autofluorescence was not observed in HeLa cells. We present a number of arguments indicating why this is the case in the analysis of magnetic field effects based on the imaging of cellular autofluorescence decay. Our work indicates that new methods are required to elucidate the effects of magnetic fields at the cellular level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariia Uzhytchak
- Department of Optical and Biophysical Systems, Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, 18221, Czech Republic
| | - Barbora Smolková
- Department of Optical and Biophysical Systems, Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, 18221, Czech Republic
| | - Adam Frtús
- Department of Optical and Biophysical Systems, Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, 18221, Czech Republic
| | - Alexandr Stupakov
- Department of Optical and Biophysical Systems, Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, 18221, Czech Republic
| | - Mariia Lunova
- Department of Optical and Biophysical Systems, Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, 18221, Czech Republic
- Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine (IKEM), Prague, 14021, Czech Republic
| | - Federica Scollo
- J. Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, 18223, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Hof
- J. Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, 18223, Czech Republic
| | - Piotr Jurkiewicz
- J. Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, 18223, Czech Republic
| | - Gareth John Sullivan
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Pediatric Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Alexandr Dejneka
- Department of Optical and Biophysical Systems, Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, 18221, Czech Republic
| | - Oleg Lunov
- Department of Optical and Biophysical Systems, Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, 18221, Czech Republic.
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Brabant C, Geerinck A, Beaudart C, Tirelli E, Geuzaine C, Bruyère O. Exposure to magnetic fields and childhood leukemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of case-control and cohort studies. REVIEWS ON ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 2023; 38:229-253. [PMID: 35302721 DOI: 10.1515/reveh-2021-0112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The association between childhood leukemia and extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) generated by power lines and various electric appliances has been studied extensively during the past 40 years. However, the conditions under which ELF-MF represent a risk factor for leukemia are still unclear. Therefore, we have performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to clarify the relation between ELF-MF from several sources and childhood leukemia. We have systematically searched Medline, Scopus, Cochrane Database of Systematic Review and DARE to identify each article that has examined the relationship between ELF-MF and childhood leukemia. We have performed a global meta-analysis that takes into account the different measures used to assess magnetic field exposure: magnetic flux density measurements (<0.2 µT vs. >0.2 µT), distances between the child's home and power lines (>200 m vs. <200 m) and wire codings (low current configuration vs. high current configuration). Moreover, meta-analyses either based on magnetic flux densities, on proximity to power lines or on wire codings have been performed. The association between electric appliances and childhood leukemia has also been examined. Of the 863 references identified, 38 studies have been included in our systematic review. Our global meta-analysis indicated an association between childhood leukemia and ELF-MF (21 studies, pooled OR=1.26; 95% CI 1.06-1.49), an association mainly explained by the studies conducted before 2000 (earlier studies: pooled OR=1.51; 95% CI 1.26-1.80 vs. later studies: pooled OR=1.04; 95% CI 0.84-1.29). Our meta-analyses based only on magnetic field measurements indicated that the magnetic flux density threshold associated with childhood leukemia is higher than 0.4 µT (12 studies, >0.4 µT: pooled OR=1.37; 95% CI 1.05-1.80; acute lymphoblastic leukemia alone: seven studies, >0.4 µT: pooled OR=1.88; 95% CI 1.31-2.70). Lower magnetic fields were not associated with leukemia (12 studies, 0.1-0.2 µT: pooled OR=1.04; 95% CI 0.88-1.24; 0.2-0.4 µT: pooled OR=1.07; 95% CI 0.87-1.30). Our meta-analyses based only on distances (five studies) showed that the pooled ORs for living within 50 m and 200 m of power lines were 1.11 (95% CI 0.81-1.52) and 0.98 (95% CI 0.85-1.12), respectively. The pooled OR for living within 50 m of power lines and acute lymphoblastic leukemia analyzed separately was 1.44 (95% CI 0.72-2.88). Our meta-analyses based only on wire codings (five studies) indicated that the pooled OR for the very high current configuration (VHCC) was 1.23 (95% CI 0.72-2.10). Finally, the risk of childhood leukemia was increased after exposure to electric blankets (four studies, pooled OR=2.75; 95% CI 1.71-4.42) and, to a lesser extent, electric clocks (four studies, pooled OR=1.27; 95% CI 1.01-1.60). Our results suggest that ELF-MF higher than 0.4 µT can increase the risk of developing leukemia in children, probably acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Prolonged exposure to electric appliances that generate magnetic fields higher than 0.4 µT like electric blankets is associated with a greater risk of childhood leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Brabant
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Public Health Aspects of Musculo-Skeletal Health and Ageing, Division of Public Health, Epidemiology and Health Economics, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
- Department of Psychology, Cognition and Behavior, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Anton Geerinck
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Public Health Aspects of Musculo-Skeletal Health and Ageing, Division of Public Health, Epidemiology and Health Economics, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Charlotte Beaudart
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Public Health Aspects of Musculo-Skeletal Health and Ageing, Division of Public Health, Epidemiology and Health Economics, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Ezio Tirelli
- Department of Psychology, Cognition and Behavior, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Christophe Geuzaine
- Department of Electricity, Electronics and Computer Sciences (Montefiore Institute), University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Olivier Bruyère
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Public Health Aspects of Musculo-Skeletal Health and Ageing, Division of Public Health, Epidemiology and Health Economics, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
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Malagoli C, Malavolti M, Wise LA, Balboni E, Fabbi S, Teggi S, Palazzi G, Cellini M, Poli M, Zanichelli P, Notari B, Cherubini A, Vinceti M, Filippini T. Residential exposure to magnetic fields from high-voltage power lines and risk of childhood leukemia. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023:116320. [PMID: 37271435 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several studies have suggested an excess risk of leukemia among children living close to high-voltage power lines and exposed to magnetic fields. However, not all studies have yielded consistent results, and many studies may have been susceptible to confounding and exposure misclassification. METHODS We conducted a case-control study to investigate the risk of leukemia associated with magnetic field exposure from high-voltage power lines. Eligible participants were children aged 0-15 years residing in the Northern Italian provinces of Modena and Reggio Emilia. We included all 182 registry-identified childhood leukemia cases diagnosed in 1998-2019, and 726 age-, sex- and province-matched population controls. We assessed exposure by calculating distance from house to nearest power line and magnetic field intensity modelling at the subjects' residence. We used conditional logistic regression models to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), with adjustment for potential confounders (distance from nearest petrol station and fuel supply within the 1000 m-buffer, traffic-related particulate and benzene concentrations, presence of indoor transformers, percentage of urban area and arable crops). RESULTS In multivariable analyses, the OR comparing children living <100 m from high-voltage power-lines with children living ≥400 m from power-lines was 2.0 (95% CI 0.8-5.0). Results did not differ substantially by age at disease diagnosis, disease subtype, or when exposure was based on modeled magnetic field intensity, though estimates were imprecise. Spline regression analysis showed an excess risk for both overall leukemia and acute lymphoblastic leukemia among children with residential distances <100 m from power lines, with a monotonic inverse association below this cutpoint. CONCLUSIONS In this Italian population, close proximity to high-voltage power lines was associated with an excess risk of childhood leukemia, particularly among the youngest children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlotta Malagoli
- Environmental, Genetic and Nutritional Epidemiology Research Center (CREAGEN), Section of Public Health, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Marcella Malavolti
- Environmental, Genetic and Nutritional Epidemiology Research Center (CREAGEN), Section of Public Health, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Lauren A Wise
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Erica Balboni
- Environmental, Genetic and Nutritional Epidemiology Research Center (CREAGEN), Section of Public Health, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy; Health Physics Unit, Modena Policlinico University Hospital, Modena, Italy
| | - Sara Fabbi
- Department of Engineering 'Enzo Ferrari', University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Sergio Teggi
- Department of Engineering 'Enzo Ferrari', University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Giovanni Palazzi
- Pediatric Oncology and Hematology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Mothers, Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Monica Cellini
- Pediatric Oncology and Hematology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Mothers, Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Maurizio Poli
- Emilia-Romagna Regional Agency for Environmental Prevention and Energy (ARPAE), Emilia-Romagna Region, Italy
| | - Paolo Zanichelli
- Emilia-Romagna Regional Agency for Environmental Prevention and Energy (ARPAE), Emilia-Romagna Region, Italy
| | - Barbara Notari
- Emilia-Romagna Regional Agency for Environmental Prevention and Energy (ARPAE), Emilia-Romagna Region, Italy
| | | | - Marco Vinceti
- Environmental, Genetic and Nutritional Epidemiology Research Center (CREAGEN), Section of Public Health, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy; Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Tommaso Filippini
- Environmental, Genetic and Nutritional Epidemiology Research Center (CREAGEN), Section of Public Health, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy; School of Public Health, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
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7
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Zagar T, Valic B, Kotnik T, Korat S, Tomsic S, Zadnik V, Gajsek P. Estimating exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields near high-voltage power lines and assessment of possible increased cancer risk among Slovenian children and adolescents. Radiol Oncol 2023; 57:59-69. [PMID: 36609540 PMCID: PMC10039480 DOI: 10.2478/raon-2023-0002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Some previous research showed that average daily exposure to extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields (MF) of more than 0.3 or 0.4 μT could potentially increase risk of childhood leukaemia. MATERIALS AND METHODS To allow calculations of ELF MF around high voltage (HV) power lines (PL) for the whole Slovenia, a new three-dimensional method including precision terrain elevation data was developed to calculate the long-term average ELF MF. Data on population of Slovenian children and adolescents and on cancer patients with leukaemia's aged 0-19 years, brain tumours at age 0-29, and cancer in general at age 0-14 for a 12-year period 2005-2016 was obtained from the Slovenian Cancer Registry. RESULTS According to the large-scale calculation for the whole country, only 0.5% of children and adolescents under the age of 19 in Slovenia lived in an area near HV PL with ELF MF density greater than 0.1 μT. The risk of cancer for children and adolescents living in areas with higher ELF MF was not significantly different from the risk of their peers. CONCLUSIONS The new method enables relatively fast calculation of the value of low-frequency magnetic fields for arbitrary loads of the power distribution network, as the value of each source for arbitrary load is calculated by scaling the value for nominal load, which also enables significantly faster adjustment of calculated estimates in the power distribution network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina Zagar
- Slovenian Cancer Registry, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Blaz Valic
- INIS - Institute for Non-Ionizing Radiation, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tadej Kotnik
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Sara Korat
- Slovenian Cancer Registry, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Sonja Tomsic
- Slovenian Cancer Registry, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Vesna Zadnik
- Slovenian Cancer Registry, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Peter Gajsek
- INIS - Institute for Non-Ionizing Radiation, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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8
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Nguyen H, Segers S, Ledent M, Anthonissen R, Verschaeve L, Hinsenkamp M, Collard JF, Feipel V, Mertens B. Effects of long-term exposure to 50 Hz magnetic fields on cell viability, genetic damage, and sensitivity to mutagen-induced damage. Heliyon 2023; 9:e14097. [PMID: 36923833 PMCID: PMC10008985 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Until today, it remains controversial whether long-term exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) below the legislative exposure limits could result in adverse human health effects. In the present study, the effects of long-term in vitro MF exposure on three different study endpoints (cell viability, genetic damage, and sensitivity to damage induced by known mutagens) were investigated in the human B lymphoblastoid (TK6) cell line. Cells were exposed to 50 Hz MF at three selected magnetic flux densities (i.e., 10, 100, and 500 μT) for different exposure periods ranging from 96h up to 6 weeks. Cell viability following MF exposure was assessed using the ATP-based cell viability assay. Effects of MF exposure on cell genetic damage and cell sensitivity to mutagen-induced damage were evaluated using the in vitro alkaline comet assay and the in vitro cytokinesis block micronucleus assay. The results showed that long-term exposure up to 96h to 50 Hz MF at all tested flux densities could significantly increase TK6 cell viability. In contrast, long-term MF exposure did not affect cell genetic damage, and long-term pre-exposure to MF did not change cell sensitivity to damage induced by known mutagens. At certain time points, statistically significant difference in genotoxicity test results were observed between the MF-exposed cells and the control cells. However, these observations could not be confirmed in the repeat experiments, indicating that they are probably not biologically significant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ha Nguyen
- Scientific Direction Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, 1050 Ixelles, Belgium.,Faculty of Medicine, Universite Libre de Bruxelles, 1070 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Seppe Segers
- Scientific Direction Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, 1050 Ixelles, Belgium
| | - Maryse Ledent
- Scientific Direction Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, 1050 Ixelles, Belgium
| | - Roel Anthonissen
- Scientific Direction Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, 1050 Ixelles, Belgium
| | - Luc Verschaeve
- Scientific Direction Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, 1050 Ixelles, Belgium
| | - Maurice Hinsenkamp
- Faculty of Medicine, Universite Libre de Bruxelles, 1070 Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Veronique Feipel
- Faculty of Medicine, Universite Libre de Bruxelles, 1070 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Birgit Mertens
- Scientific Direction Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, 1050 Ixelles, Belgium
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9
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Nguyen A, Crespi CM, Vergara X, Kheifets L. Commercial outdoor plant nurseries as a confounder for electromagnetic fields and childhood leukemia risk. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 212:113446. [PMID: 35550811 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Close residential proximity to powerlines and high magnetic fields exposure may be associated with elevated childhood leukemia risks as reported by prior studies and pooled analyses. Magnetic fields exposure from high-voltage powerlines is associated with proximity to these powerlines and consequently with any factor varying with distance. Areas underneath powerlines in California may be sites for commercial plant nurseries that can use pesticides, a potential childhood leukemia risk factor. OBJECTIVES Assess if potential pesticide exposure from commercial plant nurseries is a confounder or interacts with proximity or magnetic fields exposure from high-voltage powerlines to increase childhood leukemia risk. METHODS A comprehensive childhood leukemia record-based case-control study with 5788 cases and 5788 controls (born and diagnosed in California, 1986-2008) was conducted. Pesticide, powerline, and magnetic field exposure assessment utilized models that incorporated geographical information systems, aerial satellite images, site visits and other historical information. RESULTS The relationship for calculated fields with childhood leukemia (odds ratio (OR) 1.51, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.70-3.23) slightly attenuated when controlling for nursery proximity (OR 1.43, 95% CI 0.65-3.16) or restricting analysis to subjects living far (>300 m) from nurseries (OR 1.43, 95% CI 0.79-2.60). A similar association pattern was observed between distance to high-voltage powerlines and childhood leukemia. The association between nursery proximity and childhood leukemia was unchanged or only slightly attenuated when controlling for calculated fields or powerline distance; ORs remained above 2 when excluding subjects with high calculated fields or close powerline proximity (OR 2.16, 95% CI 0.82-5.67 and OR 2.15, 95% CI 0.82-5.64, respectively). The observed relationships were robust to different time periods, reference categories, and cut points. DISCUSSION Close residential proximity to nurseries is suggested as an independent childhood leukemia risk factor. Our results do not support plant nurseries as an explanation for observed childhood leukemia risks for powerline proximity and magnetic fields exposure, although small numbers of subjects concurrently exposed to high magnetic fields, close powerline proximity and plant nurseries limited our ability to fully assess potential confounding.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Nguyen
- Department of Epidemiology, University of California Los Angeles Fielding School of Public Health, 650 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1772, USA.
| | - C M Crespi
- Department of Biostatistics, University of California Los Angeles Fielding School of Public Health, 650 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1772, USA.
| | - X Vergara
- Department of Epidemiology, University of California Los Angeles Fielding School of Public Health, 650 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1772, USA.
| | - L Kheifets
- Department of Epidemiology, University of California Los Angeles Fielding School of Public Health, 650 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1772, USA.
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10
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Lai H. Neurological effects of static and extremely-low frequency electromagnetic fields. Electromagn Biol Med 2022; 41:201-221. [DOI: 10.1080/15368378.2022.2064489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Henry Lai
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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11
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Gupta S, Sharma RS, Singh R. Non-ionizing radiation as possible carcinogen. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH 2022; 32:916-940. [PMID: 32885667 DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2020.1806212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/01/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The advent of wireless technologies has revolutionized the way we communicate. The steady upsurge in the use of mobile phone all over the world in the last two decades, while triggered economic growth, has caused substantial damage to the environment, both directly and indirectly. The electromagnetic radiation generated from mobile phones, radio-based stations, and phone towers, high-voltage power lines have been reported which leads to the variety of health scares such as the risk of cancer in human beings and adverse effects in animals, birds, etc. Though the usage of such radiation emitting from mobile phones has risen steeply, there is a lack of proper knowledge about the associated risks. The review provides the latest research evidence based both on in vitro studies, in vivo studies, and possible gaps in our knowledge. Moreover, the present review also summarizes available literature in this subject, reports and studies which will help to form guidelines for its exposure limits to the public.Abbreviations: Continuous Wave: CW; Code Division Multiple Access: CDMA; Global System for Mobile Communications: GSM; Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell: PBMC; Radiofrequency: RF; Radiofrequency radiation: RFR; Universal Mobile Telecommunications System: UMTS; Wideband Code Division Multiple Access: WCDMA; Specific Absorption Rate: SAR; National Toxicology Program: NTP; amplitude-modulated or amplitude-modulation: AM; Electromagnetic frequencies: EMF; confidence interval: CI; Gigahertz: GHz; odds ratio: OR; incidence ratio: IR; reactive oxygen species: ROS; specific absorption rate: SAR; International Agency of Research on Cancer: IARC; single-strand breaks: SSB; double-strand breaks: DSB (7,12-Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene): DMBA; Hour: h; international commission on non-ionizing radiation protection: ICNIRP; extremely low frequency: ELFl; microtesla: mT; Gigahertz: GHz; hertz: Hz; decibel: dB; kilometer: Km; Watt per square meter: W/m2; Hour: h; positron emission tomography: PET.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiwangi Gupta
- Department of Environmental Studies, Satyawati College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Radhey Shyam Sharma
- Department of RBMH & CH, Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi, India
| | - Rajeev Singh
- Department of Environmental Studies, Satyawati College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
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12
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Amoon AT, Swanson J, Magnani C, Johansen C, Kheifets L. Pooled analysis of recent studies of magnetic fields and childhood leukemia. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 204:111993. [PMID: 34481821 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Over forty epidemiologic studies have addressed an association between measured or calculated extremely-low-frequency magnetic fields (MF) and childhood leukemia. These studies have been aggregated in a series of pooled analyses, but it has been 10 years since the last such. METHODS We present a pooled analysis combining individual-level data (24,994 cases, 30,769 controls) from four recent studies on MF and childhood leukemia. RESULTS Unlike previous pooled analyses, we found no increased risk of leukemia among children exposed to greater MF: odds ratio (OR) = 1.01, for exposure ≥0.4 μT (μT) compared with exposures <0.1 μT. Similarly, no association was observed in the subset of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, birth homes, studies using calculated fields, or when geocoding accuracy was ignored. In these studies, there is a decline in risk over time, also evident when we compare three pooled analyses. A meta-analysis of the three pooled analyses overall presents an OR of 1.45 (95% CI: 0.95-2.20) for exposures ≥0.4 μT. CONCLUSIONS Our results are not in line with previous pooled analysis and show a decrease in effect to no association between MF and childhood leukemia. This could be due to methodological issues, random chance, or a true finding of disappearing effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aryana T Amoon
- University of California, Department of Epidemiology, Los Angeles, CA, USA; County of Los Angeles, Department of Public Health, Office of Health Assessment and Epidemiology. Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | | | - Corrado Magnani
- University of Eastern Piedmont and CPO Piemonte, Medical Statistics & Cancer Epidemiology Unit-Department of Translational Medicine, Novara, Italy
| | - Christoffer Johansen
- Rigshospitalet, Department of Oncology-Cancer Survivorship and Late Treatment Late Effects (CASTLE) Unit, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Leeka Kheifets
- University of California, Department of Epidemiology, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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13
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Gryz K, Karpowicz J, Zradziński P. Complex Electromagnetic Issues Associated with the Use of Electric Vehicles in Urban Transportation. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 22:s22051719. [PMID: 35270864 PMCID: PMC8914635 DOI: 10.3390/s22051719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The electromagnetic field (EMF) in electric vehicles (EVs) affects not only drivers, but also passengers (using EVs daily) and electronic devices inside. This article summarizes the measurement methods applicable in studies of complex EMF in EVs focused on the evaluation of characteristics of such exposure to EVs users and drivers, together with the results of investigations into the static magnetic field (SMF), the extremely low-frequency magnetic field (ELF) and radiofrequency (RF) EMF related to the use of the EVs in urban transportation. The investigated EMF components comply separately with limits provided by international labor law and guidelines regarding the evaluation of human short-term exposure; however other issues need attention-electromagnetic immunity of electronic devices and long-term human exposure. The strongest EMF was found in the vicinity of direct current (DC) charging installations-SMF up to 0.2 mT and ELF magnetic field up to 100 µT-and inside the EVs-up to 30 µT close to its internal electrical equipment. Exposure to RF EMF inside the EVs (up to a few V/m) was found and recognized to be emitted from outdoor radiocommunications systems, together with emissions from sources used inside vehicles, such as passenger mobile communication handsets and antennas of Wi-Fi routers.
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14
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Onyije FM, Olsson A, Baaken D, Erdmann F, Stanulla M, Wollschläger D, Schüz J. Environmental Risk Factors for Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: An Umbrella Review. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:382. [PMID: 35053543 PMCID: PMC8773598 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14020382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Leukemia is the most common type of cancer among children and adolescents worldwide. The aim of this umbrella review was (1) to provide a synthesis of the environmental risk factors for the onset of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) by exposure window, (2) evaluate their strength of evidence and magnitude of risk, and as an example (3) estimate the prevalence in the German population, which determines the relevance at the population level. Relevant systematic reviews and pooled analyses were identified and retrieved through PubMed, Web of Science databases and lists of references. Only two risk factors (low doses of ionizing radiation in early childhood and general pesticide exposure during maternal preconception/pregnancy) were convincingly associated with childhood ALL. Other risk factors including extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-MF), living in proximity to nuclear facilities, petroleum, benzene, solvent, and domestic paint exposure during early childhood, all showed some level of evidence of association. Maternal consumption of coffee (high consumption/>2 cups/day) and cola (high consumption) during pregnancy, paternal smoking during the pregnancy of the index child, maternal intake of fertility treatment, high birth weight (≥4000 g) and caesarean delivery were also found to have some level of evidence of association. Maternal folic acid and vitamins intake, breastfeeding (≥6 months) and day-care attendance, were inversely associated with childhood ALL with some evidence. The results of this umbrella review should be interpreted with caution; as the evidence stems almost exclusively from case-control studies, where selection and recall bias are potential concerns, and whether the empirically observed association reflect causal relationships remains an open question. Hence, improved exposure assessment methods including accurate and reliable measurement, probing questions and better interview techniques are required to establish causative risk factors of childhood leukemia, which is needed for the ultimate goal of primary prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix M. Onyije
- Environment and Lifestyle Epidemiology Branch, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC/WHO), 150 Cours Albert Thomas, CEDEX 08, 69372 Lyon, France; (A.O.); (F.E.); (J.S.)
| | - Ann Olsson
- Environment and Lifestyle Epidemiology Branch, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC/WHO), 150 Cours Albert Thomas, CEDEX 08, 69372 Lyon, France; (A.O.); (F.E.); (J.S.)
| | - Dan Baaken
- Division of Childhood Cancer Epidemiology, Institute of Medical Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics (IMBEI), University Medical Center Mainz, Langenbeckstraβe 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (D.B.); (D.W.)
| | - Friederike Erdmann
- Environment and Lifestyle Epidemiology Branch, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC/WHO), 150 Cours Albert Thomas, CEDEX 08, 69372 Lyon, France; (A.O.); (F.E.); (J.S.)
- Division of Childhood Cancer Epidemiology, Institute of Medical Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics (IMBEI), University Medical Center Mainz, Langenbeckstraβe 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (D.B.); (D.W.)
| | - Martin Stanulla
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany;
| | - Daniel Wollschläger
- Division of Childhood Cancer Epidemiology, Institute of Medical Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics (IMBEI), University Medical Center Mainz, Langenbeckstraβe 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (D.B.); (D.W.)
| | - Joachim Schüz
- Environment and Lifestyle Epidemiology Branch, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC/WHO), 150 Cours Albert Thomas, CEDEX 08, 69372 Lyon, France; (A.O.); (F.E.); (J.S.)
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15
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Elevated blood MxA protein levels in children with newly diagnosed B-ALL: A prospective case-control study. JOURNAL OF SURGERY AND MEDICINE 2022. [DOI: 10.28982/josam.1033655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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16
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Schmidt JA, Hornhardt S, Erdmann F, Sánchez-García I, Fischer U, Schüz J, Ziegelberger G. Risk Factors for Childhood Leukemia: Radiation and Beyond. Front Public Health 2021; 9:805757. [PMID: 35004601 PMCID: PMC8739478 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.805757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Childhood leukemia (CL) is undoubtedly caused by a multifactorial process with genetic as well as environmental factors playing a role. But in spite of several efforts in a variety of scientific fields, the causes of the disease and the interplay of possible risk factors are still poorly understood. To push forward the research on the causes of CL, the German Federal Office for Radiation Protection has been organizing recurring international workshops since 2008 every two to three years. In November 2019 the 6th International Workshop on the Causes of CL was held in Freising and brought together experts from diverse disciplines. The workshop was divided into two main parts focusing on genetic and environmental risk factors, respectively. Two additional special sessions addressed the influence of natural background radiation on the risk of CL and the progress in the development of mouse models used for experimental studies on acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common form of leukemia worldwide. The workshop presentations highlighted the role of infections as environmental risk factor for CL, specifically for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Major support comes from two mouse models, the Pax5+/- and Sca1-ETV6-RUNX1 mouse model, one of the major achievements made in the last years. Mice of both predisposed models only develop leukemia when exposed to common infections. These results emphasize the impact of gene-environment-interactions on the development of CL and warrant further investigation of such interactions - especially because genetic predisposition is detected with increasing frequency in CL. This article summarizes the workshop presentations and discusses the results in the context of the international literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janine-Alison Schmidt
- Department of Effects and Risks of Ionizing and Non-ionizing Radiation, Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Sabine Hornhardt
- Department of Effects and Risks of Ionizing and Non-ionizing Radiation, Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Friederike Erdmann
- Division of Childhood Cancer Epidemiology, Institute of Medical Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics (IMBEI), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
- Environment and Lifestyle Epidemiology Branch, International Agency for Research on Cancer, World Health Organization (IARC/WHO), Lyon, France
| | - Isidro Sánchez-García
- Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, CSIC/Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Ute Fischer
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Joachim Schüz
- Environment and Lifestyle Epidemiology Branch, International Agency for Research on Cancer, World Health Organization (IARC/WHO), Lyon, France
| | - Gunde Ziegelberger
- Department of Effects and Risks of Ionizing and Non-ionizing Radiation, Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS), Neuherberg, Germany
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17
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Miravet-Garret L, de Cózar-Macías ÓD, Blázquez-Parra EB, Marín-Granados MD, García-González JB. 3D GIS for surface modelling of magnetic fields generated by overhead power lines and their validation in a complex urban area. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 796:148818. [PMID: 34280632 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Residential exposure to magnetic fields generated by overhead high-voltage power lines, continues to be a matter of social concern and, for the scientific community, a challenge to model this exposure accurately enough to reliably detect even small effects in large populations complexes. In any expression of the magnetic field intensity, the source-receiver distance is a determining variable, especially in an environment closer to the electrical installation and critical with the existence of significant unevenness in the terrain. However, MF exposure studies adopt, due to their complexity, simplifications of reality where even sometimes the terrain relief and the buckling of the line are not considered. The application of 3D techniques with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) allows us to address this problem. This article presents a model for generating magnetic field intensity surfaces from high-precision terrain elevation data. The series expansion of the Biot-Savart law to an infinite rectilinear conductor with variable height according to the catenary described by the cables using ArcGIS software is applied to calculate the magnetic field. For the validation, 69 control points (1035 field measurements) were used in a free urban area and another 28 points (420 field measurements) in a built-up urban area with complex relief. Good estimates were obtained, although with differences in both areas. With MAPE 9.65% and 19.51%, R2 = 0.922 and 0.949, RMSE = 0.154 and 0.094 μT, respectively. Furthermore, 86% of the points were correctly classified according to usual exposure percentiles. However, the use of a 5 m resolution digital terrain model to obtain high-precision elevation data was an indispensable condition for the good performance of our model. The result as a continuous surface of magnetic field values at the real elevation of the ground can contribute significantly to the development of new environmental and public health studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laia Miravet-Garret
- Department of Graphic Expression, Design and Projects, School of Industrial Engineering, University of Malaga, c / Doctor Ortiz Ramos s / n, 29071 Malaga, Spain.
| | - Óscar David de Cózar-Macías
- Department of Graphic Expression, Design and Projects, School of Industrial Engineering, University of Malaga, c / Doctor Ortiz Ramos s / n, 29071 Malaga, Spain.
| | - Elidia Beatriz Blázquez-Parra
- Department of Graphic Expression, Design and Projects, School of Industrial Engineering, University of Malaga, c / Doctor Ortiz Ramos s / n, 29071 Malaga, Spain.
| | - Manuel Damián Marín-Granados
- Department of Graphic Expression, Design and Projects, School of Industrial Engineering, University of Malaga, c / Doctor Ortiz Ramos s / n, 29071 Malaga, Spain.
| | - Juan Bernabé García-González
- Department of Electrical Engineering, School of Industrial Engineering, University of Malaga, c / Doctor Ortiz Ramos s / n, 29071 Malaga, Spain.
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18
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Panagopoulos DJ, Karabarbounis A, Yakymenko I, Chrousos GP. Human‑made electromagnetic fields: Ion forced‑oscillation and voltage‑gated ion channel dysfunction, oxidative stress and DNA damage (Review). Int J Oncol 2021; 59:92. [PMID: 34617575 PMCID: PMC8562392 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2021.5272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure of animals/biological samples to human‑made electromagnetic fields (EMFs), especially in the extremely low frequency (ELF) band, and the microwave/radio frequency (RF) band which is always combined with ELF, may lead to DNA damage. DNA damage is connected with cell death, infertility and other pathologies, including cancer. ELF exposure from high‑voltage power lines and complex RF exposure from wireless communication antennas/devices are linked to increased cancer risk. Almost all human‑made RF EMFs include ELF components in the form of modulation, pulsing and random variability. Thus, in addition to polarization and coherence, the existence of ELFs is a common feature of almost all human‑made EMFs. The present study reviews the DNA damage and related effects induced by human‑made EMFs. The ion forced‑oscillation mechanism for irregular gating of voltage‑gated ion channels on cell membranes by polarized/coherent EMFs is extensively described. Dysfunction of ion channels disrupts intracellular ionic concentrations, which determine the cell's electrochemical balance and homeostasis. The present study shows how this can result in DNA damage through reactive oxygen species/free radical overproduction. Thus, a complete picture is provided of how human‑made EMF exposure may indeed lead to DNA damage and related pathologies, including cancer. Moreover, it is suggested that the non‑thermal biological effects attributed to RF EMFs are actually due to their ELF components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitris J. Panagopoulos
- Laboratory of Health Physics, Radiobiology and Cytogenetics, Institute of Nuclear and Radiological Sciences and Technology, Energy and Safety, National Center for Scientific Research 'Demokritos', 15310 Athens, Greece
- Choremeion Research Laboratory, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Electromagnetic Field-Biophysics Research Laboratory, 10681 Athens, Greece
| | - Andreas Karabarbounis
- Department of Physics, Section of Nuclear and Particle Physics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Igor Yakymenko
- Institute of Experimental Pathology, Oncology and Radiobiology of National Academy of Science of Ukraine, 03022 Kyiv, Ukraine
- Department of Public Health, Kyiv Medical University, 02000 Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - George P. Chrousos
- Choremeion Research Laboratory, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
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Sieroń K, Knapik K, Onik G, Romuk E, Birkner E, Kwiatek S, Sieroń A. Electromagnetic Fields Modify Redox Balance in the Rat Gastrointestinal Tract. Front Public Health 2021; 9:710484. [PMID: 34589462 PMCID: PMC8473753 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.710484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the influence of electromagnetic fields with divergent physical properties on the prooxidative and antioxidative balances in homogenates of the tongue, salivary glands, esophagus, stomach, and small and large intestines of rats. Material and Methods: Forty rats were randomly divided into four equal groups, namely, a control group, a group exposed to low-frequency electromagnetic fields (LF-EMFs; frequency: 50 Hz; intensity: 10 kV/m; magnetic induction: 4.3 pT), a group exposed to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs) emitted by mobile phones (frequency: 900 MHz), and a group exposed simultaneously to LF-EMFs and RF-EMFs emitted by mobile phones. After 28 consecutive days of the experiment, the following pro- and antioxidative markers were assessed in the gastrointestinal tract homogenates: superoxide dismutase (SOD) and its two isoenzymes (Mn-SOD, Cu,Zn-SOD) catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione S-transferase (GST), total antioxidative capacity (TAC), total oxidative status (TOS), and malondialdehyde (MDA). Results: In rats exposed to LF-EMFs, higher concentrations of the markers of prooxidant processes, MDA or TOS, were observed in the salivary glands, esophagus, and small intestine homogenates in comparison with the control group. Additionally, in the group of rats opposite to the control, antioxidant activity was observed. The main differences included a higher activity of Cu,Zn-SOD in homogenates of the tongue, salivary glands, and esophagus as well as decreased activity of CAT in homogenates of the tongue, esophagus, and small intestine. In animals exposed to RF-EMFs, the concentration of TOS was higher in the large intestine than in control rats. The main difference of antioxidant activity was presented by decreased Cu,Zn-SOD in homogenates of the salivary glands, stomach, small and large intestine as well as CAT in homogenates of the tongue, esophagus, stomach, and small and large intestine. Moreover, in rats exposed simultaneously to LF-EMFs and RF-EMFs, a lower concentration of TOS was observed. Antioxidant activity was presented by a decreased activity of CAT in homogenates of the tongue, esophagus, stomach, and small and large intestine in comparison to the control group. Conclusion: Among those applied in the study, electromagnetic fields of a low-frequency caused the most significant disturbances of oxidative stress in the rat gastrointestinal tract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Sieroń
- Chair of Physiotherapy, Department of Physical Medicine, School of Health Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Knapik
- Chair of Physiotherapy, Department of Physical Medicine, School of Health Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Onik
- Chair of Physiotherapy, Department of Physical Medicine, School of Health Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland
| | - Ewa Romuk
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine with the Division of Dentistry in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland
| | - Ewa Birkner
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine with the Division of Dentistry in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland
| | - Sebastian Kwiatek
- Division of Internal Diseases Oncology, Gastroenterology, Angiology, Department of Cardiology Intensive Care, Hospital of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration in Katowice, Katowice, Poland
| | - Aleksander Sieroń
- Department of Physiotherapy, Jan Dlugosz University in Czestochowa, Czestochowa, Poland
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20
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Khan MW, Juutilainen J, Naarala J, Roivainen P. Residential extremely low frequency magnetic fields and skin cancer. Occup Environ Med 2021; 79:49-54. [PMID: 34593542 DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2021-107776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Photoinduced radical reactions have a fundamental role in skin cancer induced by ultraviolet radiation, and changes in radical reactions have also been proposed as a mechanism for the putative carcinogenic effects of extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields (MFs). We assessed the association of melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma with residential MF exposure. METHODS All cohort members had lived in buildings with indoor transformer stations (TSs) during the period from 1971 to 2016. MF exposure was assessed based on apartment location. Out of the 225 492 individuals, 8617 (149 291 person-years of follow-up) living in apartments next to TSs were considered as exposed, while individuals living on higher floors of the same buildings were considered as referents. Associations between MF exposure and skin cancers were examined using Cox proportional hazard models. RESULTS The HR for MF exposure ≥6 month was 1.05 (95% CI 0.72 to 1.53) for melanoma and 0.94 (95% CI 0.55 to 1.61) for squamous cell carcinoma. Analysis of the age at the start of residence showed an elevated HR (2.55, 95% CI 1.15 to 5.69) for melanoma among those who lived in the apartments when they were less than 15 years old. This finding was based on seven exposed cases. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study suggested an association between childhood ELF MF exposure and adult melanoma. This is in agreement with previous findings suggesting that the carcinogenic effects of ELF MFs may be associated particularly with childhood exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Waseem Khan
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.,Department of Biotechnology, Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences, Quetta, Pakistan
| | - Jukka Juutilainen
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Jonne Naarala
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Päivi Roivainen
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland .,Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK), Helsinki, Finland
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21
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Ates K, Carlak HF, Ozen S. Dosimetry analysis of the magnetic field of underground power cables and magnetic field mitigation using an electromagnetic shielding technique. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND ERGONOMICS 2021; 28:1672-1682. [PMID: 33870853 DOI: 10.1080/10803548.2021.1918923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Non-ionizing dosimetry investigations of extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields that are generated by underground power cables as well as the minimization of their health effects are significant topics handled by numerous researchers. In this study, ELF magnetic fields and current densities caused by three-phased underground transmission lines induced in the human model were examined utilizing both analytical and numerical methods. Analyses were carried out using a two-dimensional problem scenario for the comprehensive head and body model. The results of the finite element method (FEM)-based simulation studies and the analytical calculations are consistent with each other. Moreover, a magnetic field shielding method utilizing conductive material was presented in the study. The shielding technique performed with copper material was carried out to mitigate the magnetic field and possible dosimetry hazards in the ELF region. The proposed shield was a 4-mm reverse U-shaped copper material.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayhan Ates
- Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Akdeniz University, Turkey
| | - H Feza Carlak
- Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Akdeniz University, Turkey
| | - Sukru Ozen
- Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Akdeniz University, Turkey
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22
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Abstract
We demonstrate, by direct, single-cell imaging kinetic measurements, that endogenous autofluorescence in HeLa cells is sensitive to the application of external magnetic fields of 25 mT and less. We provide spectroscopic and mechanistic evidence that our findings can be explained in terms of magnetic field effects on photoinduced electron transfer reactions to flavins, through the radical pair mechanism. The observed magnetic field dependence is consistent with a triplet-born radical pair and a B1/2 value of 18.0 mT with a saturation value of 3.7%.
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23
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Marcotte EL, Spector LG, Mendes-de-Almeida DP, Nelson HH. The Prenatal Origin of Childhood Leukemia: Potential Applications for Epidemiology and Newborn Screening. Front Pediatr 2021; 9:639479. [PMID: 33968846 PMCID: PMC8102903 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2021.639479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Childhood leukemias are heterogeneous diseases with widely differing incident rates worldwide. As circulating tumors, childhood acute leukemias are uniquely accessible, and their natural history has been described in greater detail than for solid tumors. For several decades, it has been apparent that most cases of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) initiate in utero. Circumstantial evidence in support of this contention includes the young age of onset and high rate of concordance among identical twins. "Backtracking" of leukemic somatic mutations, particularly gene translocations, to cord blood and dried blood spots collected during the perinatal period has provided molecular proof of prenatal leukemogenesis. Detection of a patient's leukemia translocation in easily accessible birth samples, such as dried blood spots, is straightforward with the knowledge of their idiosyncratic breakpoints. However, to translate these findings into population-based screening and leukemia prevention requires novel methods able to detect translocations at all possible breakpoints when present in a low frequency of cells. Several studies have attempted to screen for leukemic translocations, mainly the common ETV6-RUNX1 translocation, in cord blood samples from healthy children. Most studies have reported finding translocations in healthy children, but estimates of prevalence have varied widely and greatly exceed the incidence of leukemia, leading to concerns that technical artifact or contamination produced an artificially inflated estimate of translocation prevalence at birth. New generation techniques that capture the presence of these translocations at birth have the potential to vastly increase our understanding of the epidemiology of acute leukemias. For instance, if leukemic translocations are present at birth in a far higher proportion of children than eventually develop acute leukemia, what are the exposures and somatic molecular events that lead to disease? And could children with translocations present at birth be targeted for prevention of disease? These questions must be answered before large-scale newborn screening for leukemia can occur as a public health initiative. Here, we review the literature regarding backtracking of acute leukemias and the prevalence of leukemic translocations at birth. We further suggest an agenda for epidemiologic research using new tools for population screening of leukemic translocations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin L. Marcotte
- Division of Epidemiology & Clinical Research, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Logan G. Spector
- Division of Epidemiology & Clinical Research, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Daniela P. Mendes-de-Almeida
- Division of Epidemiology & Clinical Research, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Department of Hematology, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Division of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Research Center, Instituto Nacional de Câncer (INCA), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Heather H. Nelson
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
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Khan MW, Juutilainen J, Auvinen A, Naarala J, Pukkala E, Roivainen P. A cohort study on adult hematological malignancies and brain tumors in relation to magnetic fields from indoor transformer stations. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2021; 233:113712. [PMID: 33601135 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2021.113712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields (MF) have been classified as possibly carcinogenic. This classification was mainly based on studies indicating increased risk of leukemia in children living near power lines. Increased risks of adult hematological malignancies and brain tumors have also been reported, but the results are mixed. We assessed incidence of adult hematological malignancies and brain tumors associated with residential MF exposure. All cohort members had lived in buildings with indoor transformer stations (TS). MF exposure was assessed based on apartment location. Out of the 256,372 individuals, 9,636 (165,000 person-years of follow-up) living in apartments next to TSs were considered as exposed. Associations between MF exposure and neoplasms were examined using Cox proportional hazard models. The hazard ratio (HR) for MF exposure ≥ 1 month was below one for most hematological neoplasms (HR for any hematological neoplasm: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.54-1.03), and decreased with increasing duration of exposure (HR for exposure ≥ 10 years: 0.47; 95% CI: 0.22-0.99). However, the HR for acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) was 2.86 (95% CI: 1.00-8.15), based on 4 exposed cases; the risk increased with duration of exposure (HR for exposure ≥3 years: 3.61; 95% CI: 1.05-12.4) and was particularly associated with childhood exposure (2 exposed cases, HR for exposure during the first two years of life: 11.5; 95% CI: 1.92-68.9). The HR for meningioma was 0.46 (95% CI: 0.19-1.11), with no evidence of exposure-response gradient with increasing duration of exposure. The HR for glioma was 1.47 (95% CI: 0.84-2.57). The hypothesis of a positive association between ELF MFs and adult hematological malignancies was supported only for ALL. The results suggested decreased rather than increased risk of most hematological neoplasms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Waseem Khan
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland; Department of Biotechnology, Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering & Management Sciences, Quetta, Pakistan
| | - Jukka Juutilainen
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Anssi Auvinen
- Unit of Health Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland; STUK - Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jonne Naarala
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Eero Pukkala
- Unit of Health Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland; Finnish Cancer Registry, Institute for Statistical and Epidemiological Cancer Research, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Päivi Roivainen
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland; STUK - Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, Helsinki, Finland.
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25
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Baaken D, Wollschläger D, Samaras T, Schüz J, Deltour I. Exposure To Extremely Low-Frequency Magnetic Fields In Low- And Middle-Income Countries: An Overview. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2020; 191:ncaa172. [PMID: 33232971 PMCID: PMC7745074 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncaa172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
To compare extremely low-frequency magnetic field (ELF-MF) exposure in the general population in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) with high-income countries (HIC), we carried out a systematic literature search resulting in 1483 potentially eligible articles; however, only 25 studies could be included in the qualitative synthesis. Studies showed large heterogeneity in design, exposure environment and exposure assessment. Exposure assessed by outdoor spot measurements ranged from 0.03 to 4μT. Average exposure by indoor spot measurements in homes ranged from 0.02 to 0.4μT. Proportions of homes exposed to a threshold of ≥0.3μT were many times higher in LMICs compared to HIC. Based on the limited data available, exposure to ELF-MF in LMICs appeared higher than in HIC, but a direct comparison is hampered by a lack of representative and systematic monitoring studies. Representative measurement studies on residential exposure to ELF-MF are needed in LMICs together with better standardisation in the reporting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Baaken
- International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC/WHO), Section of Environment and Radiation, 150 Cours Albert Thomas, 69372 Lyon CEDEX 08, France
- Institute of Medical Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics (IMBEI), University Medical Center Mainz, Langenbeckstraβe 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Daniel Wollschläger
- Institute of Medical Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics (IMBEI), University Medical Center Mainz, Langenbeckstraβe 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Theodoros Samaras
- School of Physics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 541 24, Greece
| | - Joachim Schüz
- International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC/WHO), Section of Environment and Radiation, 150 Cours Albert Thomas, 69372 Lyon CEDEX 08, France
| | - Isabelle Deltour
- International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC/WHO), Section of Environment and Radiation, 150 Cours Albert Thomas, 69372 Lyon CEDEX 08, France
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26
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Núñez-Enríquez JC, Correa-Correa V, Flores-Lujano J, Pérez-Saldivar ML, Jiménez-Hernández E, Martín-Trejo JA, Espinoza-Hernández LE, Medina-Sanson A, Cárdenas-Cardos R, Flores-Villegas LV, Peñaloza-González JG, Torres-Nava JR, Espinosa-Elizondo RM, Amador-Sánchez R, Rivera-Luna R, Dosta-Herrera JJ, Mondragón-García JA, González-Ulibarri JE, Martínez-Silva SI, Espinoza-Anrubio G, Duarte-Rodríguez DA, García-Cortés LR, Gil-Hernández AE, Mejía-Aranguré JM. Extremely Low-Frequency Magnetic Fields and the Risk of Childhood B-Lineage Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in a City With High Incidence of Leukemia and Elevated Exposure to ELF Magnetic Fields. Bioelectromagnetics 2020; 41:581-597. [PMID: 32965755 DOI: 10.1002/bem.22295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Revised: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
It is important to study the relationship between extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MFs) and childhood leukemia, particularly in locations with a high incidence of this neoplasm in children and an elevated exposure to ELF-MF, such as Mexico City. The aim was to investigate the association between ELF-MF exposure and the risk of B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). A case-control study was conducted in Mexico City during the period from 2010 to 2011. Residential 24-h ELF-MF measurements were obtained for 290 incident B-ALL patients and 407 controls, aged less than 16 years. Controls were frequency-matched by sex, age (±18 months), and health institution. The adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. ELF-MF exposure at <0.2 μT was used to define the reference group. ELF-MF exposure at ≥0.3 μT was observed in 11.3% of the controls. Different ELF-MF intensity cutoff values were used to define the highest exposure category; the highest exposure category for each cutoff value was associated with an increased risk of B-ALL compared with the corresponding lower exposure categories. The aORs were as follows: ≥0.2 μT = 1.26 (95% CI: 0.84-1.89); ≥0.3 μT = 1.53 (95% CI: 0.95-2.48); ≥0.4 μT = 1.87 (95% CI: 1.04-3.35); ≥0.5 μT = 1.80 (95% CI 0.95-3.44); ≥0.6 μT = 2.32 (95% CI: 1.10-4.93). ELF-MF exposure as a continuous variable (per 0.2 μT intervals) was associated with B-ALL risk (aOR = 1.06; 95% CI: 1.01-1.12). In the present study, the proportion of children exposed to ≥0.3 μT is among the highest reported worldwide. Additionally, an ELF-MF exposure ≥0.4 μT may be associated with the risk of B-ALL. Bioelectromagnetics. © 2020 Bioelectromagnetics Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan C Núñez-Enríquez
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Epidemiología Clínica, Unidad Médica de Alta Especialidad (UMAE), Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional (CMN) "Siglo XXI," Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Víctor Correa-Correa
- Servicio de Neurocirugía, Hospital de Especialidades "Dr. Bernardo Sepúlveda Gutiérrez," "CMN Siglo XXI," IMSS, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Janet Flores-Lujano
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Epidemiología Clínica, Unidad Médica de Alta Especialidad (UMAE), Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional (CMN) "Siglo XXI," Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - María L Pérez-Saldivar
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Epidemiología Clínica, Unidad Médica de Alta Especialidad (UMAE), Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional (CMN) "Siglo XXI," Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Jorge A Martín-Trejo
- Servicio de Hematología, UMAE Hospital de Pediatría, CMN "Siglo XXI," IMSS, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Laura E Espinoza-Hernández
- Servicio de Hematología Pediátrica, Hospital General "Dr. Gaudencio González Garza," CMN "La Raza," IMSS, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Aurora Medina-Sanson
- Departamento de Hemato-Oncología, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Secretaria de Salud (SS), Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Luz V Flores-Villegas
- Servicio de Hematología Pediátrica, CMN "20 de Noviembre," Instituto de Seguridad Social al Servicio de los Trabajadores del Estado (ISSSTE), Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - José R Torres-Nava
- Servicio de Oncología, Hospital Pediátrico "Moctezuma,", Secretaría de Salud de la Ciudad de México (SSCDMX), Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Raquel Amador-Sánchez
- Servicio de Hematología Pediátrica, Hospital General Regional (HGR) No. 1 "Dr. Carlos MacGregor Sánchez Navarro," IMSS, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Juan J Dosta-Herrera
- Servicio de Cirugía Pediátrica, Hospital General "Gaudencio González Garza," CMN "La Raza," IMSS, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Javier A Mondragón-García
- Servicio de Cirugía Pediátrica, HGR No. 1 "Dr. Carlos MacGregor Sánchez Navarro," IMSS, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | | | - Gilberto Espinoza-Anrubio
- Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital General Zona (HGZ) No. 8 "Dr. Gilberto Flores Izquierdo," IMSS, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - David A Duarte-Rodríguez
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Epidemiología Clínica, Unidad Médica de Alta Especialidad (UMAE), Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional (CMN) "Siglo XXI," Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Ana E Gil-Hernández
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Epidemiología Clínica, Unidad Médica de Alta Especialidad (UMAE), Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional (CMN) "Siglo XXI," Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Juan M Mejía-Aranguré
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Epidemiología Clínica, Unidad Médica de Alta Especialidad (UMAE), Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional (CMN) "Siglo XXI," Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), Mexico City, Mexico.,Coordinación de Investigación en Salud, CMN "Siglo XXI," IMSS, Mexico City, Mexico
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Cornacchia S, La Tegola L, Maldera A, Pierpaoli E, Tupputi U, Ricatti G, Eusebi L, Salerno S, Guglielmi G. Radiation protection in non-ionizing and ionizing body composition assessment procedures. Quant Imaging Med Surg 2020; 10:1723-1738. [PMID: 32742963 PMCID: PMC7378088 DOI: 10.21037/qims-19-1035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Body composition assessment (BCA) represents a valid instrument to evaluate nutritional status through the quantification of lean and fat tissue, in healthy subjects and sick patients. According to the clinical indication, body composition (BC) can be assessed by different modalities. To better analyze radiation risks for patients involved, BCA procedures can be divided into two main groups: the first based on the use of ionizing radiation (IR), involving dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and computed tomography (CT), and others based on non-ionizing radiation (NIR) [magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)]. Ultrasound (US) techniques using mechanical waves represent a separate group. The purpose of our study was to analyze publications about IR and NIR effects in order to make physicians aware about the risks for patients undergoing medical procedures to assess BCA providing to guide them towards choosing the most suitable method. To this end we reported the biological effects of IR and NIR and their associated risks, with a special regard to the excess risk of death from radio-induced cancer. Furthermore, we reported and compared doses obtained from different IR techniques, giving practical indications on the optimization process. We also summarized current recommendations and limits for techniques employing NIR and US. The authors conclude that IR imaging procedures carry relatively small individual risks that are usually justified by the medical need of patients, especially when the optimization principle is applied. As regards NIR imaging procedures, a few studies have been conducted on interactions between electromagnetic fields involved in MR exam and biological tissue. To date, no clear link exists between MRI or associated magnetic and pulsed radio frequency (RF) fields and subsequent health risks, whereas acute effects such as tissue burns and phosphenes are well-known; as regards the DNA damage and the capability of NIR to break chemical bonds, they are not yet robustly demonstrated. MRI is thus considered to be very safe for BCA as well US procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Cornacchia
- Medical Physics Unit, Dimiccoli Hospital Barletta, Barletta, ASL Barletta-Andria-Trani, Italy
| | - Luciana La Tegola
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Foggia University School of Medicine, Foggia, Italy
| | - Arcangela Maldera
- Medical Physics Unit, Dimiccoli Hospital Barletta, Barletta, ASL Barletta-Andria-Trani, Italy
| | | | - Umberto Tupputi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Foggia University School of Medicine, Foggia, Italy
| | - Giovanni Ricatti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Foggia University School of Medicine, Foggia, Italy
| | | | - Sergio Salerno
- Department of Radiology, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Guglielmi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Foggia University School of Medicine, Foggia, Italy
- “Dimiccoli” Hospital, University Campus of Barletta, Barletta, Italy
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28
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Sarimov R, Binhi V. Low‐Frequency Magnetic Fields in Cars and Office Premises and the Geomagnetic Field Variations. Bioelectromagnetics 2020; 41:360-368. [DOI: 10.1002/bem.22269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Revised: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ruslan Sarimov
- Prokhorov General Physics Institute of the Russian Academy of SciencesMoscow Russia
| | - Vladimir Binhi
- Prokhorov General Physics Institute of the Russian Academy of SciencesMoscow Russia
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29
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Khan MW, Juutilainen J, Roivainen P. Registry of Buildings With Transformer Stations as a Basis for Epidemiological Studies on Health Effects of Extremely Low‐Frequency Magnetic Fields. Bioelectromagnetics 2019; 41:34-40. [DOI: 10.1002/bem.22228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Waseem Khan
- Department of Environmental and Biological SciencesUniversity of Eastern FinlandKuopio Finland
- Department of BiotechnologyBalochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management SciencesQuetta Pakistan
| | - Jukka Juutilainen
- Department of Environmental and Biological SciencesUniversity of Eastern FinlandKuopio Finland
| | - Päivi Roivainen
- Department of Environmental and Biological SciencesUniversity of Eastern FinlandKuopio Finland
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Cluster Analysis of Residential Personal Exposure to ELF Magnetic Field in Children: Effect of Environmental Variables. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16224363. [PMID: 31717366 PMCID: PMC6888053 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16224363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Revised: 11/04/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Personal exposure to Extremely Low Frequency Magnetic Fields (ELF MF) in children is a very timely topic. We applied cluster analysis to 24 h indoor personal exposures of 884 children in France to identify possible common patterns of exposures. We investigated how electric networks near child home and other variables potentially affecting residential exposure, such as indoor sources of ELF MF, the age and type of the residence and family size, characterized the magnetic field exposure patterns. We identified three indoor personal exposure patterns: children living near overhead lines of high (63–150 kV), extra-high (225 kV) and ultra-high voltage (400 kV) were characterized by the highest exposures; children living near underground networks of low (400 V) and mid voltage (20 kV) and substations (20 kV/400 V) were characterized by mid exposures; children living far from electric networks had the lowest level of exposure. The harmonic component was not relevant in discriminating the exposure patterns, unlike the 50 Hz or broadband (40–800 Hz) component. Children using electric heating appliances, or living in big buildings or in larger families had generally a higher level of personal indoor exposure. Instead, the age of the residence was not relevant in differentiating the exposure patterns.
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31
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Carpenter DO. Extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields and cancer: How source of funding affects results. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2019; 178:108688. [PMID: 31476684 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.108688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Revised: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
While there has been evidence indicating that excessive exposure to magnetic fields from 50 to 60 Hz electricity increases risk of cancer, many argue that the evidence is inconsistent and inconclusive. This is particularly the case regarding magnetic field exposure and childhood leukemia. A major goal of this study is to examine how source of funding influences the reported results and conclusions. Several meta-analyses dating from about 2000 all report significant associations between exposure and risk of leukemia. By examining subsequent reports on childhood leukemia it is clear that almost all government or independent studies find either a statistically significant association between magnetic field exposure and childhood leukemia, or an elevated risk of at least OR = 1.5, while almost all industry supported studies fail to find any significant or even suggestive association. A secondary goal of this report is to examine the level of evidence for exposure and elevated risk of various adult cancers. Based on pooled or meta-analyses as well as subsequent peer-reviewed studies there is strong evidence that excessive exposure to magnetic fields increases risk of adult leukemia, male and female breast cancer and brain cancer. There is less convincing but suggestive evidence for elevations in several other cancer types. There is less clear evidence for bias based on source of funding in the adult cancer studies. There is also some evidence that both paternal and maternal prenatal exposure to magnetic fields results in an increased risk of leukemia and brain cancer in offspring. When one allows for bias reflected in source of funding, the evidence that magnetic fields increase risk of cancer is neither inconsistent nor inconclusive. Furthermore adults are also at risk, not just children, and there is strong evidence for cancers in addition to leukemia, particularly brain and breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- David O Carpenter
- Institute for Health and the Environment, University at Albany, A Collaborating Centre of the World Health Organization, 5 University Place, Room A 217, Rensselaer, NY, N 12144, USA.
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Yang L, Lu M, Lin J, Li C, Zhang C, Lai Z, Wu T. Long-Term Monitoring of Extremely Low Frequency Magnetic Fields in Electric Vehicles. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16193765. [PMID: 31591344 PMCID: PMC6801816 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16193765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Revised: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 09/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic field (MF) exposure in electric vehicles (EVs) has raised public concern for human health. There have been many studies evaluating magnetic field values in these vehicles. However, there has been no report on the temporal variation of the magnetic field in the cabin. This is the first study on the long-term monitoring of actual MFs in EVs. In the study, we measured the magnetic flux density (B) in three shared vehicles over a period of two years. The measurements were performed at the front and rear seats during acceleration and constant-speed driving modes. We found that the B amplitudes and the spectral components could be modified by replacing the components and the hubs, while regular checks or maintenance did not influence the B values in the vehicle. This observation highlights the necessity of regularly monitoring ELF MF in EVs, especially after major repairs or accidents, to protect car users from potentially excessive ELF MF exposure. These results should be considered in updates of the measurement standards. The ELF MF effect should also be taken into consideration in relevant epidemiological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Yang
- China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, No.52, Huayuan bei Road, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Meng Lu
- China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, No.52, Huayuan bei Road, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Jun Lin
- China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, No.52, Huayuan bei Road, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Congsheng Li
- China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, No.52, Huayuan bei Road, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Chen Zhang
- China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, No.52, Huayuan bei Road, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Zhijing Lai
- China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, No.52, Huayuan bei Road, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Tongning Wu
- China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, No.52, Huayuan bei Road, Beijing 100191, China.
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Talibov M, Olsson A, Bailey H, Erdmann F, Metayer C, Magnani C, Petridou E, Auvinen A, Spector L, Clavel J, Roman E, Dockerty J, Nikkilä A, Lohi O, Kang A, Psaltopoulou T, Miligi L, Vila J, Cardis E, Schüz J. Parental occupational exposure to low-frequency magnetic fields and risk of leukaemia in the offspring: findings from the Childhood Leukaemia International Consortium (CLIC). Occup Environ Med 2019; 76:746-753. [PMID: 31358566 PMCID: PMC6817988 DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2019-105706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Revised: 06/04/2019] [Accepted: 06/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Previously published studies on parental occupational exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) and risk of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) in their offspring were inconsistent. We therefore evaluated this question within the Childhood Leukemia International Consortium. METHODS We pooled 11 case-control studies including 9723 childhood leukaemia cases and 17 099 controls. Parental occupational ELF-MF exposure was estimated by linking jobs to an ELF-MF job-exposure matrix (JEM). Logistic regression models were used to estimate ORs and 95% CIs in pooled analyses and meta-analyses. RESULTS ORs from pooled analyses for paternal ELF-MF exposure >0.2 microtesla (µT) at conception were 1.04 (95% CI 0.95 to 1.13) for ALL and 1.06 (95% CI 0.87 to 1.29) for AML, compared with ≤0.2 µT. Corresponding ORs for maternal ELF-MF exposure during pregnancy were 1.00 (95% CI 0.89 to 1.12) for ALL and 0.85 (95% CI 0.61 to 1.16) for AML. No trends of increasing ORs with increasing exposure level were evident. Furthermore, no associations were observed in the meta-analyses. CONCLUSIONS In this large international dataset applying a comprehensive quantitative JEM, we did not find any associations between parental occupational ELF-MF exposure and childhood leukaemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madar Talibov
- Section of Environment and Radiation, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France
| | - Ann Olsson
- Section of Environment and Radiation, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France
| | - Helen Bailey
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Friederike Erdmann
- Section of Environment and Radiation, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France
- Childhood Cancer Research Group, Danish Cancer Society Research Centre, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Catherine Metayer
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Corrado Magnani
- Dipartimento di Medicina Traslazionale, SCDU Epidemiologia del Tumori, Universita' del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Eleni Petridou
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens & Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Athens, Greece
- Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anssi Auvinen
- Faculty of Social/Health Sciences, Tampereen yliopisto, Tampere, Finland
| | - Logan Spector
- Division of Epidemiology and Clinical Research, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Jacqueline Clavel
- U1018, INSERM, Villejuif, France
- CESP UMRS-1018, Paris Sud University, Villejuif, France
| | - Eve Roman
- Epidemiology and Cancer Statistics Group, Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK
| | - John Dockerty
- Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Atte Nikkilä
- Faculty of Medicine and Biosciences, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Olli Lohi
- Tampere Center for Child Health Research, Tampere University Hospital and University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Alice Kang
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Theodora Psaltopoulou
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens & Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Athens, Greece
| | - Lucia Miligi
- Environmental and Occuaptional Epidemiology Unit, ISPO Cancer Prevention and Research Institute, Florence, Italy
| | - Javier Vila
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elisabeth Cardis
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joachim Schüz
- Section of Environment and Radiation, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France
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Auger N, Bilodeau-Bertrand M, Marcoux S, Kosatsky T. Residential exposure to electromagnetic fields during pregnancy and risk of child cancer: A longitudinal cohort study. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2019; 176:108524. [PMID: 31226625 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.108524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2019] [Revised: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 06/05/2019] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We assessed whether exposure to electromagnetic fields during pregnancy increases the risk of childhood cancer. METHODS We studied a retrospective cohort of 784,944 newborns in Quebec, Canada between 2006 and 2016 who were followed for cancer one decade after birth. The exposures were residential distance to the nearest high voltage power transformer station and transmission line. We determined the incidence of childhood cancer, and estimated hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CI) in Cox proportional hazards regression models adjusted for maternal and birth characteristics. RESULTS There were 1114 incident cases of cancer during 4,647,472 person-years of follow-up. Residential proximity to transformer stations was associated with a somewhat greater risk of cancer, but there was no association with transmission lines. Compared with 200 m, a distance of 80 m from a transformer station was associated with a hazard ratio of 1.08 (95% CI 0.98, 1.20) for any cancer, 1.04 (95% CI 0.88, 1.23) for hematopoietic cancer, and 1.11 (95% CI 0.99, 1.25) for solid tumours. CONCLUSIONS Residential proximity to transformer stations is associated with a borderline risk of childhood cancer, but the absence of an association with transmission lines suggests no causal link.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Auger
- University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre, 900 Saint-Denis, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Institut national de santé publique du Québec, 190 Cremazie Blvd E., Montreal, Quebec, Canada; School of Public Health, University of Montreal, 1301 Sherbrooke E., Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
| | | | - Sophie Marcoux
- School of Public Health, University of Montreal, 1301 Sherbrooke E., Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Tom Kosatsky
- National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health, British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, 601 West Broadway, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Swanson J, Kheifets L, Vergara X. Changes over time in the reported risk for childhood leukaemia and magnetic fields. JOURNAL OF RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION 2019; 39:470-488. [PMID: 30736028 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6498/ab0586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
There have been many studies from 1979 to the present reporting raised risks for childhood leukaemia with exposure to power-frequency magnetic fields. There are also suggestions that the reported risk has been decreasing. We examine trends in the risk over time from all available studies. For 41 studies, we combine reported risks using inverse-variance weighting, drawing risk estimates from previous pooled analyses where possible for greater consistency. We examine the cumulative risk for studies published up to each successive calendar year for all studies and for various subsets, and test for a trend over the period. The cumulative relative risk has indeed declined, for our most rigorous analysis from a maximum 2.44 in 1997 to 1.58 in 2017, but not statistically significantly when tested as a linear trend. We find suggestions of higher risks in studies looking at higher exposures and in studies with better quality exposure assessment. We conclude that there is a decline in reported risk from the mid 1990s to now, which is unlikely to be solely explained by improving study quality but may be due to chance, and an elevated risk remains.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Swanson
- National Grid, London, United Kingdom
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36
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Tognola G, Bonato M, Chiaramello E, Fiocchi S, Magne I, Souques M, Parazzini M, Ravazzani P. Use of Machine Learning in the Analysis of Indoor ELF MF Exposure in Children. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16071230. [PMID: 30959870 PMCID: PMC6479449 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16071230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2019] [Revised: 03/29/2019] [Accepted: 04/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Characterization of children exposure to extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields is an important issue because of the possible correlation of leukemia onset with ELF exposure. Cluster analysis—a Machine Learning approach—was applied on personal exposure measurements from 977 children in France to characterize real-life ELF exposure scenarios. Electric networks near the child’s home or school were considered as environmental factors characterizing the exposure scenarios. The following clusters were identified: children with the highest exposure living 120–200 m from 225 kV/400 kV overhead lines; children with mid-to-high exposure living 70–100 m from 63 kV/150 kV overhead lines; children with mid-to-low exposure living 40 m from 400 V/20 kV substations and underground networks; children with the lowest exposure and the lowest number of electric networks in the vicinity. 63–225 kV underground networks within 20 m and 400 V/20 kV overhead lines within 40 m played a marginal role in differentiating exposure clusters. Cluster analysis is a viable approach to discovering variables best characterizing the exposure scenarios and thus it might be potentially useful to better tailor epidemiological studies. The present study did not assess the impact of indoor sources of exposure, which should be addressed in a further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella Tognola
- CNR IEIIT-Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Elettronica e di Ingegneria dell'Informazione e delle Telecomunicazioni, 20133 Milan, Italy.
| | - Marta Bonato
- CNR IEIIT-Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Elettronica e di Ingegneria dell'Informazione e delle Telecomunicazioni, 20133 Milan, Italy.
- Dipartimento di Elettronica, Informazione e Bioingegneria DEIB, Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy.
| | - Emma Chiaramello
- CNR IEIIT-Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Elettronica e di Ingegneria dell'Informazione e delle Telecomunicazioni, 20133 Milan, Italy.
| | - Serena Fiocchi
- CNR IEIIT-Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Elettronica e di Ingegneria dell'Informazione e delle Telecomunicazioni, 20133 Milan, Italy.
| | - Isabelle Magne
- EDF Electricite de France, 92300 Levallois-Perret, France.
| | | | - Marta Parazzini
- CNR IEIIT-Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Elettronica e di Ingegneria dell'Informazione e delle Telecomunicazioni, 20133 Milan, Italy.
| | - Paolo Ravazzani
- CNR IEIIT-Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Elettronica e di Ingegneria dell'Informazione e delle Telecomunicazioni, 20133 Milan, Italy.
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37
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Crespi CM, Swanson J, Vergara XP, Kheifets L. Childhood leukemia risk in the California Power Line Study: Magnetic fields versus distance from power lines. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2019; 171:530-535. [PMID: 30743245 PMCID: PMC6392457 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2018] [Revised: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2019] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Pooled analyses have suggested a small increased risk of childhood leukemia associated with distance and with exposure to high magnetic fields from power transmission lines. Because magnetic fields are correlated with distance from lines, the question of whether the risk is due to magnetic fields exposure or to some other factor associated with distance from lines is unresolved. We used data from a large records-based case-control study to examine several research questions formulated to disentangle the relationships among magnetic fields, distance from high voltage lines, and childhood leukemia risk. In models examining an interaction between distance and magnetic fields exposure, we found that neither close proximity to high voltage lines alone nor exposure to high calculated fields alone were associated with childhood leukemia risk. Rather, elevated risk was confined to the group that was both very close to high voltage lines (<50 m) and had high calculated fields (≥0.4 μT) (odds ratio 4.06, 95% CI 1.16, 14.3). Further, high calculated fields (≥0.4 μT) that were due solely to lower voltage lines (<200 kV) were not associated with elevated risk; rather, risk was confined to high fields attributable to high voltage lines. Whilst other explanations are possible, our findings argue against magnetic fields as a sole explanation for the association between distance and childhood leukemia and in favor of some other explanation linked to characteristics of power lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine M Crespi
- UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, Department of Biostatistics, 650 Charles E. Young Drive South, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
| | | | - Ximena P Vergara
- Electric Power Research Institute, Energy & Environment Sector, 3420 Hillview Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA; UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, 650 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
| | - Leeka Kheifets
- UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, 650 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
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38
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Hore PJ. Upper bound on the biological effects of 50/60 Hz magnetic fields mediated by radical pairs. eLife 2019; 8:44179. [PMID: 30801245 PMCID: PMC6417859 DOI: 10.7554/elife.44179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2018] [Accepted: 02/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Prolonged exposure to weak (~1 μT) extremely-low-frequency (ELF, 50/60 Hz) magnetic fields has been associated with an increased risk of childhood leukaemia. One of the few biophysical mechanisms that might account for this link involves short-lived chemical reaction intermediates known as radical pairs. In this report, we use spin dynamics simulations to derive an upper bound of 10 parts per million on the effect of a 1 μT ELF magnetic field on the yield of a radical pair reaction. By comparing this figure with the corresponding effects of changes in the strength of the Earth’s magnetic field, we conclude that if exposure to such weak 50/60 Hz magnetic fields has any effect on human biology, and results from a radical pair mechanism, then the risk should be no greater than travelling a few kilometres towards or away from the geomagnetic north or south pole.
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Affiliation(s)
- P J Hore
- Department of Chemistry, Physical & Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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39
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Lin J, Lu M, Wu T, Yang L, Wu T. EVALUATING EXTREMELY LOW FREQUENCY MAGNETIC FIELDS IN THE REAR SEATS OF THE ELECTRIC VEHICLES. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2018; 182:190-199. [PMID: 29584925 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncy048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2018] [Accepted: 03/01/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
In the electric vehicles (EVs), children can sit on a safety seat installed in the rear seats. Owing to their smaller physical dimensions, their heads, generally, are closer to the underfloor electrical systems where the magnetic field (MF) exposure is the greatest. In this study, the magnetic flux density (B) was measured in the rear seats of 10 different EVs, for different driving sessions. We used the measurement results from different heights corresponding to the locations of the heads of an adult and an infant to calculate the induced electric field (E-field) strength using anatomical human models. The results revealed that measured B fields in the rear seats were far below the reference levels by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection. Although small children may be exposed to higher MF strength, induced E-field strengths were much lower than that of adults due to their particular physical dimensions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Lin
- China Academy of Information and Telecommunications Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Meng Lu
- China Academy of Information and Telecommunications Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Tong Wu
- National Institute of Metrology, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Yang
- China Academy of Information and Telecommunications Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Tongning Wu
- China Academy of Information and Telecommunications Technology, Beijing, China
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40
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Occupational exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields and risk of Alzheimer disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Neurotoxicology 2018; 69:242-252. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2017.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2017] [Revised: 12/18/2017] [Accepted: 12/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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41
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Belpomme D, Hardell L, Belyaev I, Burgio E, Carpenter DO. Thermal and non-thermal health effects of low intensity non-ionizing radiation: An international perspective. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2018; 242:643-658. [PMID: 30025338 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2018] [Revised: 05/31/2018] [Accepted: 07/04/2018] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to low frequency and radiofrequency electromagnetic fields at low intensities poses a significant health hazard that has not been adequately addressed by national and international organizations such as the World Health Organization. There is strong evidence that excessive exposure to mobile phone-frequencies over long periods of time increases the risk of brain cancer both in humans and animals. The mechanism(s) responsible include induction of reactive oxygen species, gene expression alteration and DNA damage through both epigenetic and genetic processes. In vivo and in vitro studies demonstrate adverse effects on male and female reproduction, almost certainly due to generation of reactive oxygen species. There is increasing evidence the exposures can result in neurobehavioral decrements and that some individuals develop a syndrome of "electro-hypersensitivity" or "microwave illness", which is one of several syndromes commonly categorized as "idiopathic environmental intolerance". While the symptoms are non-specific, new biochemical indicators and imaging techniques allow diagnosis that excludes the symptoms as being only psychosomatic. Unfortunately standards set by most national and international bodies are not protective of human health. This is a particular concern in children, given the rapid expansion of use of wireless technologies, the greater susceptibility of the developing nervous system, the hyperconductivity of their brain tissue, the greater penetration of radiofrequency radiation relative to head size and their potential for a longer lifetime exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominique Belpomme
- European Cancer Environment Research Institute, Brussels, Belgium; Paris V University Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Lennart Hardell
- European Cancer Environment Research Institute, Brussels, Belgium; Department of Oncology, Orebro University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Orebro, Sweden
| | - Igor Belyaev
- European Cancer Environment Research Institute, Brussels, Belgium; Department of Radiobiology, Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Science, Bratislava, Slovak Republic; Laboratory of Radiobiology, Institute of General Physics, Russian Academy of Science, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Ernesto Burgio
- European Cancer Environment Research Institute, Brussels, Belgium; Instituto Scientifico Biomedico Euro Mediterraneo, Mesagne, Italy
| | - David O Carpenter
- European Cancer Environment Research Institute, Brussels, Belgium; Institute for Health and the Environment, University at Albany, Albany, NY, USA; Child Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Faculty of Medicine, Brisbane, Australia.
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42
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Bonato M, Parazzini M, Chiaramello E, Fiocchi S, Le Brusquet L, Magne I, Souques M, Röösli M, Ravazzani P. Characterization of Children's Exposure to Extremely Low Frequency Magnetic Fields by Stochastic Modeling. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2018; 15:ijerph15091963. [PMID: 30205571 PMCID: PMC6163697 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15091963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Revised: 08/29/2018] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In this study, children’s exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF, 40–800 Hz) is investigated. The interest in this thematic has grown due to a possible correlation between the increased risk of childhood leukemia and a daily average exposure above 0.4 µT, although the causal relationship is still uncertain. The aim of this paper was to present a new method of characterizing the children’s exposure to ELF-MF starting from personal measurements using a stochastic approach based on segmentation (and to apply it to the personal measurements themselves) of two previous projects: the ARIMMORA project and the EXPERS project. The stochastic model consisted in (i) splitting the 24 h recordings into stationary events and (ii) characterizing each event with four parameters that are easily interpretable: the duration of the event, the mean value, the dispersion of the magnetic field over the event, and a final parameter characterizing the variation speed. Afterward, the data from the two databases were divided in subgroups based on a characteristic (i.e., children’s age, number of inhabitants in the area, etc.). For every subgroup, the kernel density estimation (KDE) of each parameter was calculated and the p-value histogram of the parameters together was obtained, in order to compare the subgroups and to extract information about the children’s exposure. In conclusion, this new stochastic approach allows for the identification of the parameters that most affect the level of children’s exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Bonato
- Istituto di Elettronica e di Ingegneria dell'Informazione e delle Telecomunicazioni IEIIT CNR, 20133 Milano, Italy.
- Dipartimento di Elettronica, Informazione e Bioingegneria DEIB, Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy.
| | - Marta Parazzini
- Istituto di Elettronica e di Ingegneria dell'Informazione e delle Telecomunicazioni IEIIT CNR, 20133 Milano, Italy.
| | - Emma Chiaramello
- Istituto di Elettronica e di Ingegneria dell'Informazione e delle Telecomunicazioni IEIIT CNR, 20133 Milano, Italy.
| | - Serena Fiocchi
- Istituto di Elettronica e di Ingegneria dell'Informazione e delle Telecomunicazioni IEIIT CNR, 20133 Milano, Italy.
| | - Laurent Le Brusquet
- Laboratoire des Signaux et Systèmes (L2S), CentraleSupélec, CNRS, Univ. Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, 91192 Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
| | - Isabelle Magne
- Medical Studies Department of EDF (Electricite de France), 92300 Paris, France.
| | - Martine Souques
- Medical Studies Department of EDF (Electricite de France), 92300 Paris, France.
| | - Martin Röösli
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4051 Basel, Switzerland.
- University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Paolo Ravazzani
- Istituto di Elettronica e di Ingegneria dell'Informazione e delle Telecomunicazioni IEIIT CNR, 20133 Milano, Italy.
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Exposure to 50 Hz Magnetic Fields in Homes and Areas Surrounding Urban Transformer Stations in Silla (Spain): Environmental Impact Assessment. SUSTAINABILITY 2018. [DOI: 10.3390/su10082641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELFs) is almost inevitable almost anywhere in the world. An ELF magnetic field (ELF-MF) of around 1 mG = 0.1 μT is typically measured in any home of the world with a certain degree of development and well-being. There is fear and concern about exposure to electromagnetic fields from high- and medium-voltage wiring and transformer stations, especially internal transformer stations (TSs), which in Spain are commonly located inside residential buildings on the ground floor. It is common for neighbors living near these stations to ask for stations to be moved away from their homes, and to ask for information about exposure levels and their effects. Municipality is the closest administration to the citizens that must solve this situation, mediating between the citizens, the utility companies and the national administration. In this case, the municipality of Silla (València, Spain) wanted to know the levels of exposure in the dwellings annexed to the TSs, to compare them with Spanish legislation and the recommendations coming from epidemiological studies. This article presents the first systematic campaign of ELF-MF measurements from TSs carried out in a Spanish city. Many measurements were carried out in the rooms of the apartments doing spatial averages of spatial grid measurements. Measurements are made in the bed and bedrooms and a weighted average and an environmental impact indicator were obtained for each location. We found that old TSs usually provide the highest peak exposure levels. A notable result of this work is that approximately one quarter of the population living above or next to a TS would be exposed to a weighted MF level greater than 0.3 μT, and that about a 10% of this population would not be able to relocate their bedroom or living room to minimize the level of exposure.
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44
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Li H, Lin L, Li L, Zhou L, Hao S, Zhang Y, Ding Z. Eotaxin‑1 and MCP‑1 serve as circulating indicators in response to power frequency electromagnetic field exposure in mice. Mol Med Rep 2018; 18:2832-2840. [PMID: 30015948 PMCID: PMC6102701 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2018.9237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2017] [Accepted: 06/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The increasing public concern regarding the potential health risks of exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) has led to intensive research in this area. However, it remains unclear whether potential pro-oncogenic effects may be caused by power frequency EMF (PFEMF) exposure. To address the associated risk factors, the present study exposed 4-week old Balb/c mice to 0, 0.1, 0.5 and 2.5 mT of constant 50 Hz Helmholtz coil-type PFEMF for 90 days to explore the circulating chemokine indicators that may be associated with inflammation or cancer. No measurable weight difference existed between the control and PFEMF-exposure groups; however, the Luminex assay clearly demonstrated differentially responsive profiles of circulating chemokines upon PFEMF treatment. Monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-3, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1α, MIP-1β and MIP-2 levels in serum were not significantly altered by PFEMF during the 3-month exposure period; however, the circulating levels of other chemokines including IP-10, GROα, RANTES, EOTAXIN-1 and MCP-1 exhibited significant changes upon treatment. Among the responsive chemokines, EOTAXIN-1 and MCP-1 were significantly increased by 0.5 mT of PFEMF treatment, which may support their use as indicators of PFEMF exposure. This novel finding highlights the potential pro-inflammatory nature of power frequency, which may shed light on the mechanisms underlying PFEMF-induced diseases, including cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hualiang Li
- Institute of Environmental Protection, Guangdong Power Grid, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, P.R. China
| | - Lin Lin
- Department of Obstetrics, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat‑sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510655, P.R. China
| | - Li Li
- Institute of Environmental Protection, Guangdong Power Grid, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, P.R. China
| | - Liang Zhou
- Department of Radiation Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, P.R. China
| | - Shuai Hao
- Department of Radiation Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, P.R. China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Department of Radiation Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, P.R. China
| | - Zhenhua Ding
- Department of Radiation Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, P.R. China
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45
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Saliev T, Begimbetova D, Masoud AR, Matkarimov B. Biological effects of non-ionizing electromagnetic fields: Two sides of a coin. PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2018; 141:25-36. [PMID: 30030071 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2018.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2018] [Revised: 07/12/2018] [Accepted: 07/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Controversial, sensational and often contradictory scientific reports have triggered active debates over the biological effects of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) in literature and mass media the last few decades. This could lead to confusion and distraction, subsequently hampering the development of a univocal conclusion on the real hazards caused by EMFs on humans. For example, there are lots of publications indicating that EMF can induce apoptosis and DNA strand-breaks in cells. On the other hand, these effects could rather be beneficial, in that they could be effectively harnessed for treatment of various disorders, including cancer. This review discusses and analyzes the results of various in vitro, in vivo and epidemiological studies on the effects of non-ionizing EMFs on cells and organs, including the consequences of exposure to the low and high frequencies EM spectrum. Emphasis is laid on the analysis of recent data on the role of EMF in the induction of oxidative stress and DNA damage. Additionally, the impact of EMF on the reproductive system has been discussed, as well as the relationship between EM radiation and blood cancer. Apart from adverse effects, the therapeutic potential of EMFs for clinical use in different pathologies is also highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timur Saliev
- Kazakh National Medical University Named After S.D. Asfendiyarov, Tole Bi Street 94, Almaty, 050000, Kazakhstan; National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, 53 Kabanbay batyr Ave., Astana, 010000, Kazakhstan.
| | - Dinara Begimbetova
- National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, 53 Kabanbay batyr Ave., Astana, 010000, Kazakhstan
| | - Abdul-Razak Masoud
- National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, 53 Kabanbay batyr Ave., Astana, 010000, Kazakhstan
| | - Bakhyt Matkarimov
- National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, 53 Kabanbay batyr Ave., Astana, 010000, Kazakhstan
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46
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Amoon AT, Crespi CM, Ahlbom A, Bhatnagar M, Bray I, Bunch KJ, Clavel J, Feychting M, Hémon D, Johansen C, Kreis C, Malagoli C, Marquant F, Pedersen C, Raaschou-Nielsen O, Röösli M, Spycher BD, Sudan M, Swanson J, Tittarelli A, Tuck DM, Tynes T, Vergara X, Vinceti M, Wünsch-Filho V, Kheifets L. Proximity to overhead power lines and childhood leukaemia: an international pooled analysis. Br J Cancer 2018; 119:364-373. [PMID: 29808013 PMCID: PMC6068168 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-018-0097-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2017] [Revised: 03/14/2018] [Accepted: 04/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although studies have consistently found an association between childhood leukaemia risk and magnetic fields, the associations between childhood leukaemia and distance to overhead power lines have been inconsistent. We pooled data from multiple studies to assess the association with distance and evaluate whether it is due to magnetic fields or other factors associated with distance from lines. METHODS We present a pooled analysis combining individual-level data (29,049 cases and 68,231 controls) from 11 record-based studies. RESULTS There was no material association between childhood leukaemia and distance to nearest overhead power line of any voltage. Among children living < 50 m from 200 + kV power lines, the adjusted odds ratio for childhood leukaemia was 1.33 (95% CI: 0.92-1.93). The odds ratio was higher among children diagnosed before age 5 years. There was no association with calculated magnetic fields. Odds ratios remained unchanged with adjustment for potential confounders. CONCLUSIONS In this first comprehensive pooled analysis of childhood leukaemia and distance to power lines, we found a small and imprecise risk for residences < 50 m of 200 + kV lines that was not explained by high magnetic fields. Reasons for the increased risk, found in this and many other studies, remains to be elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aryana T Amoon
- Department of Epidemiology, University of California Los Angeles Fielding School of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1772, USA
| | - Catherine M Crespi
- Department of Biostatistics, University of California Los Angeles Fielding School of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1772, USA
| | - Anders Ahlbom
- Unit of Epidemiology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Megha Bhatnagar
- Department of Epidemiology, University of California Los Angeles Fielding School of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1772, USA
| | - Isabelle Bray
- Department of Health and Social Sciences, University of the West of England, Bristol, BS16 1QY, UK
| | - Kathryn J Bunch
- National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LF, UK
| | - Jacqueline Clavel
- Epidemiology of Childhood and Adolescent Cancers, CRESS, INSERM, UMR 1153, Paris Descartes University, Villejuif, France.,National Registry of Childhood Cancers - Hematological Malignancies, Villejuif, France
| | - Maria Feychting
- Unit of Epidemiology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Denis Hémon
- Epidemiology of Childhood and Adolescent Cancers, CRESS, INSERM, UMR 1153, Paris Descartes University, Villejuif, France
| | - Christoffer Johansen
- The Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Strandboulevarden 49, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Oncology Clinic, Finsen Center, Rigshospitalet 5073, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christian Kreis
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Carlotta Malagoli
- Research Center of Environmental (CREAGEN), Genetic and Nutritional Epidemiology University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Fabienne Marquant
- Epidemiology of Childhood and Adolescent Cancers, CRESS, INSERM, UMR 1153, Paris Descartes University, Villejuif, France
| | - Camilla Pedersen
- The Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Strandboulevarden 49, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ole Raaschou-Nielsen
- The Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Strandboulevarden 49, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Martin Röösli
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Petersgraben 1, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ben D Spycher
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Madhuri Sudan
- Department of Epidemiology, University of California Los Angeles Fielding School of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1772, USA.,Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.,College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, 91766-1854, USA
| | | | - Andrea Tittarelli
- Cancer Registry Unit, National Cancer Institute, Milan, 20133, Italy
| | - Deirdre M Tuck
- School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia.,Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Tore Tynes
- Department of Occupational Health Surveillance, National Institute of Occupational Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ximena Vergara
- Department of Epidemiology, University of California Los Angeles Fielding School of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1772, USA.,Energy and Environment Sector, Electric Power Research Institute, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA
| | - Marco Vinceti
- Research Center of Environmental (CREAGEN), Genetic and Nutritional Epidemiology University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.,Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Victor Wünsch-Filho
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, 01246-904, Brazil
| | - Leeka Kheifets
- Department of Epidemiology, University of California Los Angeles Fielding School of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1772, USA.
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Antill LM, Woodward JR. Flavin Adenine Dinucleotide Photochemistry Is Magnetic Field Sensitive at Physiological pH. J Phys Chem Lett 2018; 9:2691-2696. [PMID: 29724094 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.8b01088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
We present time-resolved optical absorption and magnetic field effect data on the photochemistry following blue light excitation of flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) in aqueous solution in the pH range 2.3 to 8.0. Effects of closed form conformations of FAD in ground, excited singlet, and radical pair states exhibit significant influence on the observed kinetics and magnetic field dependence and remarkably, magnetic field effects are observed even at physiological pH where the FAD radical pairs are only 75% less magnetic field sensitive than at pH 2.3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lewis M Antill
- Graduate School of Arts and Sciences , The University of Tokyo , 3-8-1 Komaba , Meguro-ku , Tokyo 153-8902 , Japan
| | - Jonathan R Woodward
- Graduate School of Arts and Sciences , The University of Tokyo , 3-8-1 Komaba , Meguro-ku , Tokyo 153-8902 , Japan
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48
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Migault L, Piel C, Carles C, Delva F, Lacourt A, Cardis E, Zaros C, de Seze R, Baldi I, Bouvier G. Maternal cumulative exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields and pregnancy outcomes in the Elfe cohort. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2018; 112:165-173. [PMID: 29275242 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2017.12.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2017] [Revised: 12/15/2017] [Accepted: 12/15/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To study the relations between maternal cumulative exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF EMF) and the risk of moderate prematurity and small for gestational age within the Elfe cohort. METHODS The Elfe study included 18,329 infants born at 33weeks of gestation or more in France in 2011 and was designed to follow the children until 20years of age. Gestational age and anthropometric data at birth were collected in medical records and small for gestational age was defined according to a French customized growth standard. During interviews, mothers were asked to report their job status during pregnancy. If employed, their occupation was coded according to the International Standard Classification of Occupations 1988 and the date on which they stopped their work was recorded. Cumulative exposure to ELF EMF during pregnancy was assessed, for both mothers who worked and those who did not during pregnancy, using a recently-updated job-exposure matrix (JEM). Cumulative exposure was considered as a categorical variable (<17.5, 17.5-23.8, 23.8-36.2, 36.2-61.6 or ≥61.6μT-days), a binary variable (<44.1 and ≥44.1μT-days) and a continuous variable. Associations were analyzed by logistic regression, adjusting for the mother's lifestyle factors, sociodemographic characteristics and some mother's medical history during and before pregnancy. Analyses were restricted to single births and to complete values for the pregnancy outcomes (n=16,733). RESULTS Cumulative exposure was obtained for 96.0% of the mothers. Among them, 37.5% were classified in the 23.8-36.2μT-days category, but high exposures were rare: 1.3% in the ≥61.6μT-days category and 5.5% in the ≥44.1μT-days category. No significant association was observed between maternal cumulative exposure and moderate prematurity and small for gestational age in this exposure range. CONCLUSION This large population-based study does not suggest that maternal exposure to ELF EMF during pregnancy is highly associated with risks of moderate prematurity or small for gestational age.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Migault
- University of Bordeaux, Inserm U1219 EPICENE Team, Bordeaux Population Health Research Center, 146 rue Leo Saignat, 33076 Bordeaux Cedex, France.
| | - C Piel
- University of Bordeaux, Inserm U1219 EPICENE Team, Bordeaux Population Health Research Center, 146 rue Leo Saignat, 33076 Bordeaux Cedex, France
| | - C Carles
- University of Bordeaux, Inserm U1219 EPICENE Team, Bordeaux Population Health Research Center, 146 rue Leo Saignat, 33076 Bordeaux Cedex, France; Bordeaux University Hospital, Service de Médecine du Travail et pathologie professionnelle, 608 avenue Léon Duguit, 33600 Pessac, France
| | - F Delva
- University of Bordeaux, Inserm U1219 EPICENE Team, Bordeaux Population Health Research Center, 146 rue Leo Saignat, 33076 Bordeaux Cedex, France
| | - A Lacourt
- University of Bordeaux, Inserm U1219 EPICENE Team, Bordeaux Population Health Research Center, 146 rue Leo Saignat, 33076 Bordeaux Cedex, France
| | - E Cardis
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Doctor Aiguader, 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiologia y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - C Zaros
- Joint research unit Elfe, Ined-Inserm-EFS, 133 Boulevard Davout, 75020 Paris, France
| | - R de Seze
- TOXI PERITOX UMR-I-01 unit, INERIS, Parc ALATA BP2, 60550 Verneuil en Halatte, UPJV, Amiens, France
| | - I Baldi
- University of Bordeaux, Inserm U1219 EPICENE Team, Bordeaux Population Health Research Center, 146 rue Leo Saignat, 33076 Bordeaux Cedex, France; Bordeaux University Hospital, Service de Médecine du Travail et pathologie professionnelle, 608 avenue Léon Duguit, 33600 Pessac, France
| | - G Bouvier
- University of Bordeaux, Inserm U1219 EPICENE Team, Bordeaux Population Health Research Center, 146 rue Leo Saignat, 33076 Bordeaux Cedex, France
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49
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López-Lázaro M. The stem cell division theory of cancer. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2018; 123:95-113. [DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2018.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2017] [Revised: 11/13/2017] [Accepted: 01/17/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
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50
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Li H, Lin L, Li L, Zhou L, Zhang Y, Hao S, Ding Z. Exosomal small RNA sequencing uncovers the microRNA dose markers for power frequency electromagnetic field exposure. Biomarkers 2018; 23:315-327. [PMID: 29297241 DOI: 10.1080/1354750x.2018.1423707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The potential health risks caused by power frequency electromagnetic field (PFEMF) have led to increase public health concerns. However, the diagnosis and prognosis remain challenging in determination of exact dose of PFEMF exposure. MATERIALS AND METHODS Mice were exposed to different magnetic doses of PFEMF for the following isolation of serum exosomes, microRNAs (miRNAs) extraction and small RNA sequencing. After small RNA sequencing, bioinformatic analysis, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) validation and serum exosomal miRNA biomarkers were determined. RESULTS Significantly changed serum exosomal miRNA as biomarkers of 0.1, 0.5, 2.5 mT and common PFEMF exposure were confirmed. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto encyclopaedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis of the downstream target genes of the above-identified exosomal miRNA markers indicated that, exosomal miRNA markers were predicted to be involved in critical pathophysiological processes of neural system and cancer- or other disease-related signalling pathways. CONCLUSIONS Aberrantly-expressed serum exosomal miRNAs, including miR-128-3p for 0.1 mT, miR-133a-3p for 0.5 mT, miR-142a-5p for 2.5 mT, miR-218-5p and miR-199a-3p for common PFEMF exposure, suggested a series of informative markers for not only identifying the exact dose of PFEMF exposure, also consolidating the base for future clinical intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hualiang Li
- a Electric Power Research Institute of Guangdong Power Grid , Guangzhou , PR China
| | - Lin Lin
- b Department of Obstetrics , The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou , PR China
| | - Li Li
- a Electric Power Research Institute of Guangdong Power Grid , Guangzhou , PR China
| | - Liang Zhou
- c Department of Radiation Medicine, School of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research , Southern Medical University , Guangzhou , PR China
| | - Ying Zhang
- c Department of Radiation Medicine, School of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research , Southern Medical University , Guangzhou , PR China
| | - Shuai Hao
- c Department of Radiation Medicine, School of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research , Southern Medical University , Guangzhou , PR China
| | - Zhenhua Ding
- c Department of Radiation Medicine, School of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research , Southern Medical University , Guangzhou , PR China
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