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Brain & Nervous System122 citations

Mortality from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, other chronic disorders, and electric shocks among utility workers

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Authors not listed · 1998

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Danish utility workers showed double the normal ALS death rate, linked to occupational electromagnetic field exposure.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Danish researchers tracked over 21,000 utility workers for nearly 20 years and found they had twice the normal rate of death from ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). The increased risk appeared linked to higher electromagnetic field exposure levels and repeated electrical shocks on the job.

Why This Matters

This study represents one of the most compelling pieces of evidence linking occupational EMF exposure to neurological disease. A twofold increase in ALS mortality among utility workers isn't a statistical fluke when you're tracking over 21,000 people for two decades. What makes this particularly significant is that utility workers face EMF exposures far higher than what most of us encounter daily, yet they're still within the range of what's considered 'safe' by current standards. The researchers noted the ALS risk increased with years of employment, suggesting cumulative exposure effects. While your home WiFi and cell phone operate at different frequencies than power lines, this study underscores a fundamental concern: we're conducting a massive experiment with EMF exposure across our entire population, and the neurological effects may take decades to fully manifest.

Exposure Information

A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 50 Hz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 50 HzCell phones~1 GHzWiFi2.4 GHz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.

Cite This Study
Unknown (1998). Mortality from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, other chronic disorders, and electric shocks among utility workers.
Show BibTeX
@article{mortality_from_amyotrophic_lateral_sclerosis_other_chronic_disorders_and_electric_shocks_among_utility_workers_ce1567,
  author = {Unknown},
  title = {Mortality from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, other chronic disorders, and electric shocks among utility workers},
  year = {1998},
  doi = {10.1093/OXFORDJOURNALS.AJE.A009654},
  
}
DOI: 10.1093/OXFORDJOURNALS.AJE.A009654PubMed: 9717880

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, this Danish study found utility workers had twice the normal death rate from ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). The increased risk appeared to correlate with higher electromagnetic field exposure levels and years of employment in the industry.
The researchers suggested that repeated electrical shocks, combined with electromagnetic field exposure, may contribute to ALS risk among utility workers. The study found both elevated ALS deaths and a tenfold increase in electrical accident fatalities.
The study followed 21,236 Danish utility workers employed between 1900 and 1993, tracking their mortality from 1974 through 1993. This nearly 20-year observation period strengthens the reliability of the ALS findings.
Yes, the study found ALS mortality risk increased with time since first employment at utility companies. This suggests a cumulative effect of electromagnetic field exposure over years of occupational work in the industry.
Power lines emit 50 Hz electromagnetic fields in Europe (60 Hz in North America). This study specifically analyzed mortality in relation to estimated exposure levels of 50-Hz electromagnetic fields among Danish utility workers.