Evaluation of risk of leukaemias for exposure to low frequency magnetic field in Slovenian children and adolescents

Introduction: Some studies show that low-frequency magnetic fields (LF-MF) of density more than 0.4 mu T could pose higher risk of leukaemias in children. Our aim was to evaluate the risk of leukaemias in children and adolescents, exposed to LF-MF by living near power lines and transformer stations in Slovenia. Methods: From Slovenian Cancer Registry, the georeferenced data on children and adolescents (aged 0-19 years) with leukaemias and reference population in years 2005-2016 was obtained. Cohorts were distributed into five groups by exposure to LF-MF near power lines and transformer stations. For estimating exposure we used modelled values on a fine spatial grid. The relative risk of leukaemias was estimated by standardised incidence ratio. Additionally we investigated time trends in period 1967-2016 and geographical distribution. Results: In 1967-2016, there were 841 children and adolescents with leukaemias (16 per year). In 2005-2016, the majority of population (99.5%) was not exposed to LF-MF higher than 0.1 mu T. Out of 195 leukaemias, one person lived in area with 0.1 <= LF-MF < 0.2 mu T near power lines (SIR=2.4, CI 0.1-13.3) and five cases near transformer stations (SIR=3.0, CI 0.97-7.0). There were no cases of leukemias in the exposure area of LF-MF density more than 0.2 mu T. There was no significant geographical distribution. Conclusions: In Slovenia, none of the cases of leukaemias in children and adolescents could be attributed to exposure to LF-MF near power lines and transformer stations.