Case-control study on occupational exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields and the association with acoustic neuroma

Abstract

Case-control study on occupational exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields and the association with acoustic neuroma Carlberg M, Koppel T, Ahonen M, Hardell L. Case-control study on occupational exposure to extremely low- frequency electromagnetic fields and the association with acoustic neuroma. Environmental Research. Available online 7 May 2020, 109621 Highlights • Exposure to ELF-EMF has been classified as a possible human carcinogen by IARC. • Risk for acoustic neuroma was investigated for occupations with ELF-EMF exposure. • No increased risk for acoustic neuroma was found in any exposure category. Abstract Exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) was in 2002 classified as a possible human carcinogen, Group 2B, by the International Agency for Research on Cancer at WHO based on an increased risk for childhood leukemia. In case-control studies on brain and head tumours during 1997-2003 and 2007-2009 we assessed life-time occupations in addition to exposure to different agents. The INTEROCC ELF- EMF Job-Exposure Matrix was used for associating occupations with ELF-EMF exposure (μT) with acoustic neuroma. Cumulative exposure (μT-years), average exposure (μT) and maximum exposed job (μT) were calculated. No increased risk for acoustic neuroma was found in any category. For cumulative exposure in the highest exposure category 8.52+ μT years odds ratio (OR) = 1.2, 95 % confidence interval (CI) = 0.8-2.0, p linear trend = 0.37 was calculated. No statistically significant risks were found in the time windows 1-14 years, and 15+ years, respectively. In conclusion occupational ELF-EMF was not associated with an increased risk for acoustic neuroma. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Using the INTEROCC ELF-EMF job-exposure matrix, no increased risk for acoustic neuroma was found in any exposure category. In the highest cumulative exposure category (8.52+ µT-years), OR was 1.2 (95% CI 0.8–2.0) with no significant linear trend (p=0.37), and no statistically significant risks were found in time windows 1–14 years and 15+ years.

Outcomes measured

• acoustic neuroma

Limitations

• Population characteristics and sample size not reported in the abstract.
• Exposure assessment based on a job-exposure matrix (INTEROCC) rather than individual measurements.
• Specific occupational categories and potential confounder adjustments not described in the abstract.

Suggested hubs

• occupational-exposure (0.9)
  Study evaluates occupational ELF-EMF exposure and acoustic neuroma risk using a job-exposure matrix.
• who-icnirp (0.35)
  Abstract references IARC/WHO carcinogen classification context for ELF-EMF.

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        "source": "occupational",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "lifetime occupations; time windows 1–14 years and 15+ years"
    },
    "population": null,
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "acoustic neuroma"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Using the INTEROCC ELF-EMF job-exposure matrix, no increased risk for acoustic neuroma was found in any exposure category. In the highest cumulative exposure category (8.52+ µT-years), OR was 1.2 (95% CI 0.8–2.0) with no significant linear trend (p=0.37), and no statistically significant risks were found in time windows 1–14 years and 15+ years.",
    "effect_direction": "no_effect",
    "limitations": [
        "Population characteristics and sample size not reported in the abstract.",
        "Exposure assessment based on a job-exposure matrix (INTEROCC) rather than individual measurements.",
        "Specific occupational categories and potential confounder adjustments not described in the abstract."
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "extremely low-frequency",
        "ELF-EMF",
        "occupational exposure",
        "job-exposure matrix",
        "INTEROCC",
        "acoustic neuroma",
        "case-control",
        "odds ratio"
    ],
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            "reason": "Study evaluates occupational ELF-EMF exposure and acoustic neuroma risk using a job-exposure matrix."
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