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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: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [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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Magnetic Fields and Cancer: Epidemiology, Cellular Biology, and Theranostics. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031339. [PMID: 35163262 PMCID: PMC8835851 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 01/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Humans are exposed to a complex mix of man-made electric and magnetic fields (MFs) at many different frequencies, at home and at work. Epidemiological studies indicate that there is a positive relationship between residential/domestic and occupational exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields and some types of cancer, although some other studies indicate no relationship. In this review, after an introduction on the MF definition and a description of natural/anthropogenic sources, the epidemiology of residential/domestic and occupational exposure to MFs and cancer is reviewed, with reference to leukemia, brain, and breast cancer. The in vivo and in vitro effects of MFs on cancer are reviewed considering both human and animal cells, with particular reference to the involvement of reactive oxygen species (ROS). MF application on cancer diagnostic and therapy (theranostic) are also reviewed by describing the use of different magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) applications for the detection of several cancers. Finally, the use of magnetic nanoparticles is described in terms of treatment of cancer by nanomedical applications for the precise delivery of anticancer drugs, nanosurgery by magnetomechanic methods, and selective killing of cancer cells by magnetic hyperthermia. The supplementary tables provide quantitative data and methodologies in epidemiological and cell biology studies. Although scientists do not generally agree that there is a cause-effect relationship between exposure to MF and cancer, MFs might not be the direct cause of cancer but may contribute to produce ROS and generate oxidative stress, which could trigger or enhance the expression of oncogenes.
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Association between exposure during pregnancy and the risk of developing solid tumors in second children: Results from a Chinese matched case-control study. Early Hum Dev 2021; 154:105292. [PMID: 33517172 DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2020.105292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Even though many studies have proven the risk factors for cancer in children, studies focusing exclusively on second children are absent. This study is designed to examine the association between maternal exposure during pregnancy and the risk of developing solid tumors (STs) in second children. METHODS This retrospective matched case-control study included 80 s children with STs and 160 s children without STs matched in terms of birth weight, gestational age, pregnancy body mass index (BMI), and residence from a medical center. Exposure during pregnancy and birth characteristics of these children were investigated through structured questionnaires. RESULTS A univariate analysis suggested that birth spacing (OR, 12.70; CI, 4.44-36.34), maternal smoking (OR, 6.00; CI, 1.62-22.16), paternal smoking (OR, 2.20; CI, 1.23-3.93), and common cold (OR,1.94; CI, 1.02-3.69) were associated with an increased risk of second children STs. A multivariate analysis demonstrated that birth spacing (OR, 12.45; CI, 4.00-38.78) and paternal smoking (OR, 2.04; CI, 1.04-3.99) were the main risk factors for STs in second-born children. CONCLUSION Long birth spacing (>10 years) and paternal smoking could significantly increase the risk of developing STs in second-born children. Despite the fact that the effects of maternal smoking and the common cold were not significant, it is still recommended to quit smoking, take necessary self-protective measures to reduce the risk of infection.
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Kiouvrekis Y, Manios G, Tsitsia V, Gourzoulidis G, Kappas C. A statistical analysis for RF-EMF exposure levels in sensitive land use: A novel study in Greek primary and secondary education schools. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 191:109940. [PMID: 33181972 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Revised: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/11/2020] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The increasing popularity of mobile phones and the expansion of network infrastructure in Greece have given rise to public concerns about potential adverse health effects on sensitive groups, such as children, from long-term radio-frequency (RF) electromagnetic fields (EMFs) exposure. According to Greek law the RF limit values for sensitive land use (schools, hospitals, etc) have been set to 60% of those recommended by EU standard and 70% for the general population. AIMS The objective of this study is to estimate mean RF-EMF exposure levels of Greek primary and secondary edu-cation schools located in urban environments. METHODS In selecting the minimum sample size we observed that the variance of the random variable was unknown, as there has been no similar previous study in Greece with schools as the target population. For this reason, a pilot study was conducted in 65 schools in order to estimate the standard deviation of the population and use that value to calculate the minimum sample size. Using a random machine num-ber generator contracted in R based on pseudo-random number algorithms, we obtained a sample of 492 schools in order to estimate the mean value for RF-EMF radiation sources in the 27 MHz-3GHz range in schools within urban environments in Greece. RESULTS We have performed the appropriate hypothesis test to get that there is sufficient evidence at the α = 0.05 level to conclude that the mean value for RF-EMF radiation sources in the 27 MHz-3GHz range, in schools within urban environments in Greece, is equal to 0.42 V/m, also a 95% confidence interval for the mean value is (0.4024, 0.4395)] with central value equal to the sample mean 0.4209. CONCLUSION In conclusion, the exposure level in the locations tested are both below 60% of the highest limit set by ICNIRP (International Commision on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection) regarding sensitive land use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiannis Kiouvrekis
- Faculty of Medicine University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece; University of West Attica, Department of BioMedical Sciences, Athens, Greece; University of Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus.
| | - Georgios Manios
- Faculty of Medicine University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece.
| | | | - Georgios Gourzoulidis
- Faculty of Medicine University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece; Research and Measurements Center of OHS Hazardous Agents, OHS Directorate, Hellenic Ministry of Labor, Athens, Greece.
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Buteau S, Belkaibech S, Bilodeau-Bertrand M, Hatzopoulou M, Smargiassi A, Auger N. Association between Kawasaki Disease and Prenatal Exposure to Ambient and Industrial Air Pollution: A Population-Based Cohort Study. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2020; 128:107006. [PMID: 33074736 PMCID: PMC7571626 DOI: 10.1289/ehp6920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Environmental factors may contribute to the development of Kawasaki disease in children, but prenatal environmental exposures are understudied. OBJECTIVE We used a population-based cohort to investigate whether prenatal exposure to outdoor air pollution is associated with the incidence of Kawasaki disease in childhood. METHODS We performed a longitudinal cohort study of all children born in Quebec, Canada, between 2006 and 2012. Children were followed for Kawasaki disease from birth until 31 March 2018. We assigned prenatal air pollutant exposure according to the residential postal code at birth. The main exposure was annual average concentration of ambient fine particulate matter [PM ≤2.5μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) from satellite-based estimates and land-use regression models. As secondary exposures, we considered industrial PM2.5, NO2, and sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions estimated from dispersion models. We estimated hazard ratios (HRs) using Cox proportional hazards models, adjusted for maternal age, parity, sex, multiple birth, maternal smoking during pregnancy, socioeconomic status, birth year, and rural residence. We considered single and multipollutant models. We performed several sensitivity analyses, including assessing modifying effects of maternal comorbidities (e.g., diabetes, preeclampsia). RESULTS The cohort comprised 505,336 children, including 539 with Kawasaki disease. HRs for each interquartile range increase in ambient air pollution were 1.16 (95% CI: 0.96, 1.39) for PM2.5 and 1.12 (95% CI: 0.96, 1.31) for NO2. For industrial air pollution, HRs were 1.07 (95% CI: 1.01, 1.13) for SO2, 1.09 (95% CI: 0.99, 1.20) for NO2, and 1.01 (95% CI: 0.97, 1.05) for PM2.5. In multipollutant models, associations for ambient PM2.5 and NO2 (i.e., from all sources) were robust to adjustment for industrial pollution, and vice versa. DISCUSSION In this population-based cohort study, both prenatal exposure to ambient and industrial air pollution were associated with the incidence of Kawasaki disease in childhood. Further studies are needed to consolidate the observed associations. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP6920.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephane Buteau
- Institut national de santé publique du Québec, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Sabrina Belkaibech
- Institut national de santé publique du Québec, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Engineering and Health Management, University of Lille, Lille, France
| | | | - Marianne Hatzopoulou
- Department of Civil Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Audrey Smargiassi
- Institut national de santé publique du Québec, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada
- Public Health Research Institute, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Nathalie Auger
- Institut national de santé publique du Québec, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University, Quebec, Canada
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Aris A, Yiannis K, Vasiliki S, Constantin K, Charilaos T, Kiki T. RF-EMF EXPOSURE LEVELS IN SENSITIVE LAND USE IN GREECE: EDUCATIONAL UNITS CENSUS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF KORYDALLOS. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2020; 190:193-199. [PMID: 32667037 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncaa090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 05/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The growing popularity of mobile phones and the expansion of network infrastructure in Greece have raised concerns about the possible negative health effects on sensitive groups, such as children, from exposure to long-term radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs). AIMS The objective of this study is to estimate mean RF-EMF exposure levels of primary and secondary education schools located in the municipality of Korydallos, Athens, Greece. METHODS We performed measurements to all the schools units ($n=62$) in the region in order to calculate the mean value for RF-EMF exposure in the range of 27 MHz-3 GHz, which covers the whole spectrum of RF-EMF sources. RESULTS At the $97.5\%$ of schools found in Korydallos region, the exposure level is at least 2200 times below the Greek exposure limits. CONCLUSION The exposure levels in the locations tested are both below $60\%$ of the highest limit set by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection regarding school exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Aris
- Department of Medical Physics, Medical School, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece, 38221
| | - K Yiannis
- Department of Medical Physics, Medical School, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece, 38221
| | - S Vasiliki
- Department of Medical Physics, Medical School, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece, 38221
| | - K Constantin
- Department of Medical Physics, Medical School, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece, 38221
| | - T Charilaos
- Department of Medical Physics, Medical School, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece, 38221
| | - T Kiki
- Department of Medical Physics, Medical School, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece, 38221
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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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