Myelogenous leukemia and electric blanket use.
In a case-control study of adult acute and chronic myelogenous leukemia in Los Angeles County, we tested the hypothesis that excess exposure to electromagnetic fields from electric blankets was associated with risk of leukemia. We did this by studying 116 cases of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and 108 cases of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) along with matched neighborhood controls. The cases and controls were queried as to electric blanket use and the risks computed. For AML the risk was 0.9 (95% CI 0.5-1.6) and for CML the risk was 0.8 (95% CI 0.4-1.6). Cases did not differ from controls by duration of use, year of first regular use, year since last use, or socioeconomic status. Our best estimates of exposure indicate that electric blanket use increases overall exposure to electric fields by less than 50% and magnetic fields by less than 100%. We conclude that there is no major leukemogenic risk associated with electric blanket use in Los Angeles County.
Preston-Martin
S
S
Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles 90033.
Peters
J M
JM
Yu
M C
MC
Garabrant
D H
DH
Bowman
J D
JD
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001512:Bedding and Linens; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields / Q000009:adverse effects*; D055590:Electromagnetic Phenomena / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D015464:Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / Q000209:etiology; D007951:Leukemia, Myeloid / Q000209:etiology*; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors