Occupational exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) and postmenopausal breast cancer risk

Authors: Moayedi-Nia, S, Almadin C, Labrèche F, Goldberg MS, Richardson L, Cardis E, Ho V

Year: 2025-10-01

Category: Epidemiology

Journal: Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000003564

URL: https://journals.lww.com/joem/abstract/9900/occupational_exposure_to_extremely_low_frequency.993.aspx

Abstract

Overview

This study aimed to estimate the association between occupational exposures to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) and the risk of postmenopausal breast cancer.

  • Population-based case-control study conducted between 2008-2011 in Montréal, Canada.
  • Histologically-confirmed breast cancer cases and matched controls participated, with 663 cases and 592 controls included.
  • Lifetime job histories were linked to a job-exposure matrix to estimate geometric mean ELF-MF exposure per workday.

Methods

  • Logistic regression analysis was performed.
  • Outcomes measured included cumulative, average, maximum, and duration of maximum ELF-MF exposure.
  • Analyses adjusted for individual-level and ecological covariables.

Findings

  • Overall, no association was found between occupational ELF-MF exposure and postmenopausal breast cancer risk.
  • However, when exposures were restricted to those occurring 0-10 years before interview or during breast development, some positive associations were observed, especially for ER+/PR+ tumours.

Conclusion

  • The findings suggest no general association between occupational ELF-MF exposure and postmenopausal breast cancer. Nonetheless, the observed positive associations in certain subgroups indicate a possible health risk for specific exposure windows or tumor subtypes, highlighting the need for further research and EMF safety considerations.
ELF-MF occupational exposure breast cancer postmenopausal epidemiology magnetic fields case-control study
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