Case-Control Study on Occupational Exposure to Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields and the Association with Meningioma.

Objective: 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 tumors during 1997-2003 and 2007-2009 we assessed lifetime occupations in addition to exposure to different agents. The INTEROCC ELF-EMF Job-Exposure Matrix was used for associating occupations with ELF-EMF exposure (T) with meningioma. Cumulative exposure (T-years), average exposure (T), and maximum exposed job (T) were calculated.

Results: No increased risk for meningioma was found in any category. For cumulative exposure in the highest exposure category 8.52+ T years odds ratio (OR) = 0.9, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.7-1.2, and linear trend = 0.45 were calculated. No statistically significant risks were found in different time windows.

Conclusion: In conclusion occupational ELF-EMF was not associated with an increased risk for meningioma.