Residential mobility and childhood leukemia

Authors: Amoon AT, Oksuzyan S, Crespi CM, Arah OA, Cockburn M, Vergara X, Kheifets L.

Year: 2018 Mar 22

Category: Epidemiology

Journal: Environ Res

Institution: University of California

DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2018.03.016

URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29574256

Abstract

Overview

The study addresses the often-overlooked factor of residential mobility in childhood leukemia research. It aims to clarify the potential impacts of mobility on the association between environmental exposures and childhood leukemia.

Methods

  • A population-based case-control approach was utilized, focusing on cases from California diagnosed between 1988 and 2008.
  • Logistic regression and propensity-score adjustments were employed to analyze predictors of residential mobility and adjust for potential confounders.

Findings

  • Mobility characteristics included older age, living conditions, younger maternal age, fewer siblings, and lower socioeconomic status.
  • Odds ratios for leukemia were higher near 200+ kilovolt power lines and associated with elevated calculated fields.
  • Adjustments revealed higher risks, indicating an unlikely role of mobility in affecting observed associations between electromagnetic fields and leukemia.

Conclusion

The analysis refutes residential mobility as a significant confounder in the link between proximity to power lines and childhood leukemia, stressing the importance of directly addressing environmental exposures in epidemiological studies.

childhood leukemia residential mobility EMF exposure epidemiological study power lines health risks
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