Note: This study found no significant biological effects under its experimental conditions. We include all studies for scientific completeness.
Electrical power lines and childhood leukemia: a study from Greece
No Effects Found
Authors not listed · 1997
Greek study of 117 children found no increased leukemia risk from living near power lines, but can't rule out weak associations.
Plain English Summary
Summary written for general audiences
Greek researchers studied 117 children with leukemia and 202 healthy controls to examine whether living near power lines increases childhood leukemia risk. Using four different methods to measure magnetic field exposure from electrical lines, they found no significant increase in leukemia risk at any exposure level. The study doesn't prove power lines are completely safe, but found no evidence of increased cancer risk.
Cite This Study
Unknown (1997). Electrical power lines and childhood leukemia: a study from Greece.
Show BibTeX
@article{electrical_power_lines_and_childhood_leukemia_a_study_from_greece_ce1580,
author = {Unknown},
title = {Electrical power lines and childhood leukemia: a study from Greece},
year = {1997},
doi = {10.1002/(SICI)1097-0215(19971104)73:3<345::AID-IJC7>3.0.CO;2-#},
}Quick Questions About This Study
No. The study found no statistically significant increase in leukemia risk at any level of power line exposure, using four different measurement methods to assess magnetic field exposure from electrical lines.
The study included 117 children with leukemia and 202 healthy controls, all matched by age, gender, and residence location to ensure fair comparison between groups.
Researchers used four metrics: voltage divided by distance, voltage divided by distance squared, voltage divided by distance cubed, and an adaptation of the Wertheimer-Leeper wire coding system.
No. The researchers specifically stated their results 'do not refute a weak empirical association,' meaning small risks could exist but weren't detectable in this study size.
They used conditional logistic regression modeling to adjust for 18 potential confounding variables that might influence childhood leukemia risk beyond power line exposure.