Open AccessA review of the epidemiologic literature on magnetic fields and cancer.
Author(s) -
Anders Ahlbom
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of work, environment and health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1795-990X
pISSN - 0355-3140
DOI - 10.5271/sjweh.1909
Subject(s) - childhood cancer , cancer , medicine , epidemiology , environmental health , pathology
Since 1979 several studies have been published that suggest that residential exposure to electromagnetic fields could increase the risk of childhood cancer. Such studies have also been published for adults. In addition there are several studies suggesting that people in "electrical" occupations are at an increased risk of cancer. The objective of this review was to determine whether the role of electromagnetic fields in the origin of cancer can be established from the epidemiologic literature. Several of the studies suffer from methodological or other shortcomings, but it is not clear whether these problems are likely to explain the results. No conclusion can be drawn about the role of electromagnetic fields in the origin of cancer on the basis of current data. The existing literature, however, strongly suggests that research in this area should be pursued.