Study links ELF magnetic fields to childhood leukemia. (extremely low frequency)

R & D, July, 1993 by Glanz, James

Yet another study has found an apparent correlation between childhood leukemia and exposure to extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields. Such magnetic fields commonly occur near power lines.

The study, conducted by Maria Feychting and Anders Ahlbom of the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, included about 500,000 people who lived within 300 m of 220- or 440-kV transmission lines during the period from 1960 to 1985.

The researchers found a link between a child's risk of developing leukemia and the child's estimated exposure to magnetic fields over that period. There was no apparent correlation for any type of cancer in adults.

The Swedish study has received high marks for its careful methodology. Still, researchers caution against reading too much...