Residential exposure to magnetic field due to high-voltage power lines and childhood leukemia risk in mainland France - GEOCAP case-control study

Authors: Mancini M, Hémon D, Faure L, Clavel J, Goujon S

Year: 2025 Apr 16

Category: Epidemiology

Journal: Environmental Research

DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2025.121638

URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0013935125008898?via%3Dihub

Abstract

Overview

Environmental exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) has been suspected as a risk factor for childhood acute leukemia (AL), and has been classified as a possible carcinogen. However, results from recent epidemiological studies have been heterogeneous.

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk of acute leukemia in children exposed to ELF-MF by living close to high-voltage overhead power lines (HVOL) in France.

Methods

  • Inclusion of 4,117 AL cases under 15 years diagnosed between 2002-2010
  • 44,838 contemporary controls representative of the French pediatric population, from the national registry-based GEOCAP study
  • Assessment of distance to the nearest 63-400kV and 225-400kV HVOL
  • ELF-MF exposure calculated at geocoded addresses considering HVOL characteristics
  • Logistic regression models adjusted for age to estimate odds-ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals
  • Sensitivity analyses to account for geocoding error and potential confounders

Findings

  • 0.7% of controls lived within 50 meters of HVOL
  • 0.3% of controls were exposed to >0.3 μT
  • Living within 50 meters of HVOL was associated with increased risk of AL for children under 5 (OR=1.6 [1.0-2.7])
  • This association was stronger when restricted to high-quality geocoded addresses (OR=3.2 [1.3-7.9])
  • ELF-MF exposure itself (= 0.3 μT) was not associated with increased AL risk (OR=0.6 [0.3-1.3])
  • Results were stable in all sensitivity analyses

Conclusion

This study brings new evidence that ELF-MF exposure is probably not associated with increased risk of childhood acute leukemia. Nonetheless, proximity to high-voltage power lines (within 50 meters) remains associated with an increased risk for children under 5, suggesting that other factors associated with living near power lines could contribute to leukemia risk. The connection between residential EMF exposure and health risks cannot be ruled out and warrants further research and precaution.

childhood leukemia magnetic fields high-voltage power lines epidemiology ELF-MF acute leukemia residential exposure
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