Living close to power lines increases cancer risk from electromagnetic fields.
the verdict
CONTESTED
the evidence cuts both ways
confidence 51/100
Epidemiological studies consistently report a statistical association between living near high-voltage power lines and a small increased risk of childhood leukemia, but researchers debate whether this relationship is causal due to a lack of established biological mechanisms and potential confounding.
The evidence we hold leans leans supported
How this was weighed
official record 3x · fact-check 2x · hedged 1x · crowd & reference 1x
A pooled analysis of magnetic fields and childhood leukaemia · peer-reviewed · supports · weight 2 · 2000
Childhood cancer in relation to distance from high voltage p · peer-reviewed · supports · weight 2 · 2005
The Sensitivity of Children to Electromagnetic Fields · peer-reviewed · supports · weight 2 · 2005
Residence near high voltage facilities and risk of cancer in · peer-reviewed · supports · weight 2 · 1993
Potential health impacts of residential exposures to extreme · peer-reviewed · supports · weight 1.6 · 2013
Epidemiology of primary brain tumors: Current concepts and r · peer-reviewed · refutes · weight 2 · 2002
Epidemiology of Health Effects of Radiofrequency Exposure · peer-reviewed · refutes · weight 2 · 2004
Evidence for · 5
A pooled analysis of magnetic fields and childhood leukaemia
2000 · cited by 735
A pooled analysis found a statistically significant increased relative risk of childhood leukemia for children with higher residential magnetic field exposures.
Evidence against · 2
Epidemiology of primary brain tumors: Current concepts and review of theliterature
2002 · cited by 834
A review on primary brain tumors found little to support a causal connection between power frequency electromagnetic fields and brain cancers.
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More for · 4
Childhood cancer in relation to distance from high voltage power lines in England and Wales: a case-control study
2005 · cited by 346
A large case-control study found an association between childhood leukemia and living in close proximity to high voltage power lines at birth.
The Sensitivity of Children to Electromagnetic Fields
2005 · cited by 301
An expert report notes consistent epidemiological evidence linking childhood leukemia with exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields.
Residence near high voltage facilities and risk of cancer in children.
1993 · cited by 246
A population-based study reported a significant association between childhood cancer and high magnetic field exposures from high voltage installations.
Potential health impacts of residential exposures to extremely low frequency magnetic fields in Europe
2013 · cited by 109
A European assessment calculated attributable childhood leukemia cases assuming the epidemiological association with extremely low frequency magnetic fields is causal.
More against · 1
Epidemiology of Health Effects of Radiofrequency Exposure
2004 · cited by 346
A comprehensive review of residential and occupational exposures found no consistent or convincing evidence of a causal relation between electromagnetic fields and adverse health effects.