Study finds no evidence that magnetic fields cause leukaemia risk

There is no convincing evidence to support the hypothesis that exposure to magnetic fields is a risk factor for leukaemia, according to a study of 73,051 electricity workers.

Findings for all combined leukaemia among the workers were “unexceptional”; risks were close to the norm for all exposure categories and there was no increase in risk with cumulative magnetic-field exposures.

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There were also no statistically significant dose-response effects for either acute myeloid leukaemia, chronic myeloid leukaemia or chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.

Sorahan T (2014). “Magnetic fields and leukaemia risks in UK electricity supply workers”. Occupational Medicine, first published online 21 February.