4
Occupational exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields and brain tumour risks in the
INTEROCC study.
Exposition aux champs magnétiques d'extrêmes basses fréquences en milieu professionnel et risques de
tumeur cérébrale dans l'étude INTEROCC.
Turner MC et al, Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2014 Jun 16.
Background: Occupational exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF) is a suspected risk factor
for brain tumours, however the literature is inconsistent. Few studies have assessed whether ELF in different
time windows of exposure may be associated with specific histologic types of brain tumours. This study
examines the association between ELF and brain tumours in the large-scale INTEROCC study. Methods: Cases
of adult primary glioma and meningioma were recruited in seven countries (Australia, Canada, France,
Germany, Israel, New Zealand, United Kingdom) between 2000 and 2004. Estimates of mean workday ELF
exposure based on a job exposure matrix assigned. Estimates of cumulative exposure, average exposure,
maximum exposure, and exposure duration were calculated for the lifetime, and 1-4, 5-9, and 10+ years prior to
the diagnosis/reference date. Results: There were 3,761 included brain tumour cases (1,939 glioma, 1,822
meningioma) and 5,404 population controls. There was no association between lifetime cumulative ELF
exposure and glioma or meningioma risk. However, there were positive associations between cumulative ELF 1-
4 years prior to the diagnosis/reference date and glioma (odds ratio (OR) ≥ 90th percentile vs < 25th percentile =
1.67, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.36-2.07, p < 0.0001 linear trend), and, somewhat weaker associations with
meningioma (OR ≥ 90th percentile vs < 25th percentile = 1.23, 95% CI 0.97-1.57, p = 0.02 linear trend).
Conclusions: Results showed positive associations between ELF in the recent past and glioma. Impact:
Occupational ELF exposure may play a role in the later stages (promotion and progression) of brain
tumourigenesis.
Alcohol drinking and risk of leukemia-A systematic review and meta-analysis of the dose-risk
relation.
Consommation d'alcool et risque de leucémie – Une revue systématique et une méta analyse sur la relation
dose-risque.
Rota M et al, Cancer Epidemiol. Jun 2014
The association between alcohol and leukemia risk has been addressed in several studies in the past two decades,
but results have been inconsistent. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to quantify
the dose-risk relation. Through the literature search up to August 2013, we identified 18 studies, 10 case-control
and 8 cohorts, carried out in a total of 7142 leukemia cases. We derived pooled meta-analytic estimates using
random-effects models, taking into account the correlation between estimates, and we performed a dose-risk
analysis using a class of nonlinear random-effects meta-regression models. Stratified analyses were carried out
on leukemia subtypes and groups, in order to identify possible etiologic differences. Compared with nondrinkers,
the relative risks (RRs) for all leukemia were 0.94 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.85-1.03], 0.90 (95% CI,
0.80-1.01) and 0.91 (95% CI, 0.81-1.02) for any, light (≤1 drink/day) and moderate to heavy (>1 drink/day)
alcohol drinking, respectively. The summary RRs for any alcohol drinking were 1.47 (95% CI, 0.47-4.62) for
acute lymphoblastic leukemia, 0.94 (95% CI 0.77-1.15) for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, 1.02 (95% CI, 0.86-
1.21) for acute myeloid leukemia and 0.93 (95% CI 0.75-1.14) for chronic myeloid leukemia. The subgroup
analysis on geographical area for all leukemia combined showed RRs of 0.84 (95% CI, 0.76-0.93), 0.92 (95%
CI, 0.83-1.01) and 1.32 (95% CI, 1.02-1.70) for studies conducted in America, Europe and Asia, respectively.
We did not find an increased risk of leukemia among alcohol drinkers. If any, a modest favorable effect emerged
for light alcohol drinking, with a model-based risk reduction of approximately 10% in regular drinkers.