EMF-Cancer Hypothesis - Epidemiology Sudy 

Electrical engineers and epidemiologists re-examined the EMF-cancer hypothesis by measuring the current (amperes) at the utility neutral-to-ground wire at the transformer or pole near the homes, the amperage on water lines serving the homes, and the intensity of magnetic fields in the living areas most occupied by victims who had lived in the homes. BTD  sampled 81 of the 579 cases (cancer) and control residences that were coded by Wertheimer and Leeper in 1979 [20] and by Savitz et al. in 1988 [In ref. 11].

In this study 60 Hz, 180 Hz, and harmonic magnetic fields are associated with wire codes, but only 180 Hz and harmonic magnetic fields are associated with case/control status; case being a cancer victim lived at the residence.

The odds ratio (OR) combined across strata (HCC, LCC) for the 180 Hz and the sum of 3rd, 5th, and 7th harmonic fields were 4.0 and 4.3 respectively. Both were significantly elevated above the null value of 1 (P = 0.0061) for either field components.

• The odds ratios indicate cancer deaths were four times more likely among victims who lived in homes with high levels of 180 Hz current or the 3rd, 5th and 7th harmonics than among controls with similar socio-economic backgrounds.
• The conclusions reached 25 years earlier [20] were validated, but an improved measurement instrument with coil censor signal analyzer (HP Model 3561A) implicated harmonic currents which earlier test meters did not detect. Using the proper equipment is always necessary to get the right answers.

The measured magnetic fields were dichotomized into "low" and "high" categories with the median being the cut-point for the measured values, i.e., 0.0843, 0.0122, and 0.0141 µT (microTesla) for 60 Hz, 180 Hz, and harmonic magnetic fields, respectively. These may not be comparable to overall averages in the Denver area since they were from selected categories (100µTesla = 1 Gauss, or 1µT = 0.01G or 10 milliGauss (mG)

flux density of magnetic fields).