Exposure to magnetic fields and childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia in Sao Paulo, Brazil
Authors not listed · 2011
Brazilian children living within 50 meters of power lines showed 3.57 times higher leukemia risk than those 600+ meters away.
Plain English Summary
Brazilian researchers studied 162 children with acute lymphocytic leukemia and 565 healthy controls to examine whether exposure to 60 Hz magnetic fields from power lines increases leukemia risk. Children living within 50 meters of power lines showed 3.57 times higher odds of developing leukemia, though the small sample size limited the statistical strength of findings.
Why This Matters
This Brazilian study adds to the growing body of evidence linking power line proximity to childhood leukemia, even though the authors downplayed their own findings. The reality is that children living within 50 meters of power lines faced more than triple the leukemia risk compared to those living 600+ meters away. The 60 Hz frequency studied is identical to the power grid frequency used throughout North and South America, making these findings directly relevant to millions of families. What makes this study particularly concerning is that the magnetic field levels measured in children's bedrooms (0.3 microteslas and above) are commonly found in homes near power lines, schools built near transmission corridors, and even some bedrooms with heavy electrical wiring. The science demonstrates a consistent pattern across multiple countries and populations, yet regulatory agencies continue to ignore the evidence while children remain unnecessarily exposed.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.
Show BibTeX
@article{exposure_to_magnetic_fields_and_childhood_acute_lymphocytic_leukemia_in_sao_paulo_brazil_ce1339,
author = {Unknown},
title = {Exposure to magnetic fields and childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia in Sao Paulo, Brazil},
year = {2011},
doi = {10.1016/j.canep.2011.05.008},
}