Residential extremely low frequency magnetic fields and skin cancer

Authors: Muhammad Waseem Khan, Jukka Juutilainen, Jonne Naarala, Päivi Roivainen

Year: 2021 Sep 30

Category: Environmental Medicine

Journal: Occup Environ Med

Institution: Occup Environ Med

DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2021-107776

URL: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34593542/

Abstract

Overview

The study investigates the fundamental role of photoinduced radical reactions in skin cancer, particularly induced by UV radiation and how similar mechanisms might concern the carcinogenic effects of extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields (MFs).

Objective

To examine the association of melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma with residential ELF magnetic field exposure.

Methods

Cohort analysis within buildings having indoor transformer stations, covering the period from 1971 to 2016.
Assessment of MF exposure based on the apartment's proximity to transformer stations.
Comparison of 8617 exposed individuals with referents residing on higher floors within the same buildings.

Findings

Cox proportional hazard models revealed:

A hazard ratio (HR) of 1.05 for melanoma and 0.94 for squamous cell carcinoma in general MF exposure for ≥6 months.
An increased HR of 2.55 for melanoma among individuals exposed to MFs before the age of 15, spotlighting childhood exposure as a significant risk factor.

Conclusion

There is a suggested association between childhood ELF MF exposure and an increased risk of developing melanoma in adulthood. This supports previous assertions about the unique vulnerability of children to the carcinogenic effects of ELF magnetic fields.

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