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Document ID (ISN)100007
CIS number 02-1423
ISSN - Serial title 1351-0711 - Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Year 2001
Convention or series no.
Author(s) Harrington J.M., Nichols L., Sorahan T., van Tongeren M.
Title Leukaemia mortality in relation to magnetic field exposure: Findings from a study of United Kingdom electricity generation and transmission workers, 1973-97
Bibliographic information May 2001, Vol.58, No.5, p.307-314. 14 ref.
Abstract To investigate whether risks of leukaemia are related to occupational exposure to magnetic fields, the mortality of cohort of 83,997 employees of the Central Electricity Generating Board of England and Wales was investigated for the period 1973-97. All were employed for at least 6 months in the period 1973-82. Computerized work histories were available for 79,972 subjects for the period 1971-93. Based on mortalities for England and Wales, the standardized mortality ratio of 84 for all leukaemias (observed 111, expected 132.3) was similar to that of 83 for all causes (observed 14 845, expected 17 918). No significant positive trends were found for the risks of various types of leukaemia (chronic lymphatic leukaemia, acute myeloid leukaemia, chronic myeloid leukaemia, all leukaemia) either with lifetime cumulative exposure to magnetic fields or with such exposures received in the most recent 5 years. In conclusion, there are no discernible excess risks of leukaemia as a consequence of occupational exposure to magnetic fields in United Kingdom electricity generation and transmission workers.
Descriptors (primary) electric power generation and storage; leukaemia; magnetic fields; mortality; electric power distribution
Descriptors (secondary) United Kingdom; cohort study; hazard evaluation
Document type D - Periodical articles
Country / State or ProvinceUnited Kingdom
Subject(s) Radiation
Broad subject area(s) Physical hazards
Browse category(ies) Electromagnetic fields
Leukaemia