Occupational exposure to low frequency magnetic fields and dementia: A case-control study

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Andreas Seidler - , Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (Author)
  • Petra Geller - , Goethe University Frankfurt a.M. (Author)
  • Albert Nienhaus - , Institution for Statutory Accident Insurance and Prevention in the Health and Welfare Services (BGW) (Author)
  • Tanja Bernhardt - , Central Institute of Mental Health (CIMH) (Author)
  • Ingeburg Ruppe - , Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (Author)
  • Siegfried Eggert - , Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (Author)
  • Maila Hietanen - , Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (Author)
  • Timo Kauppinen - , Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (Author)
  • Lutz Frölich - , Central Institute of Mental Health (CIMH) (Author)

Abstract

Background: Several studies point to a potential aetiological relevance to dementia of exposure to low-frequency magnetic fields, but the evidence is inconclusive. Objective: To further examine the relationship between low frequency magnetic fields and dementia. Methods: From 23 general practices, 195 patients with dementia were recruited. Of these, 108 had possible Alzheimer's disease, 59 had possible vascular dementia and 28 had secondary or unclassified dementia. A total of 229 controls were recruited: 122 population controls and 107 ambulatory patients free from dementia. Data were gathered in a structured personal interview; in cases, the interview was administered to the next of kin. Exposure to low-frequency electromagnetic fields was assessed by expert rating. To identify occupations suspected to be associated with dementia, major occupations were a priori formed. Odds ratios were calculated using logistic regression, to control for age, region, sex, dementia in parents and smoking. Results: Exposure to magnetic fields was not significantly associated with dementia; restriction of the analysis to cases with possible Alzheimer's disease or possible vascular dementia did not lead to statistically significant results. We found an increased risk of dementia in blue-collar occupations (electrical and electronics workers, metal workers, construction workers, food and beverage processors and labourers). Conclusions: Our study does not support a strong association between occupational exposure to low-frequency magnetic fields and dementia. Further studies should consider the relationship between blue-collar work and the late development of dementia.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)108-114
Number of pages7
JournalOccupational and environmental medicine
Volume64
Issue number2
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2007
Peer-reviewedYes
Externally publishedYes

External IDs

PubMed 17043077

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals

Keywords

  • Alzheimer Disease, Dementia, Case Control Study, Construction Work, Demography, Electromagnetic Fields, Industrial Worker, Information Processing, Multiinfarct Dementia, Occupational Exposure