A Cohort Study on Alzheimer's Disease in Relation to Residential Magnetic Fields From Indoor Transformer Stations

Abstract

Meta-analyses of epidemiological studies have suggested that Alzheimer's disease (AD) may be linked with exposure to extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields (MF). This is the first study investigating the association of AD with exposure to residential ELF MFs from indoor transformer stations, using a study design that avoids shortcomings of previous studies. All cohort members had lived in buildings with indoor transformer stations. MF exposure was assessed based on the location of their apartment in relation to the transformer room. AD patients were identified from Drug Purchase Register and Drug Reimbursement Register. Out of the 155,562 individuals, 5652 (111,357 person-years of follow-up) living in apartments next to transformer stations were considered as exposed, while 115,772 (2,289,526 person-years of follow-up) individuals living on higher floors of the same buildings were considered as referents. Associations between MF exposure and AD were examined using Cox proportional hazard models. The hazard ratio (HR) was 1.02 (95% confidence interval: 0.85–1.22), indicating that the risk of AD is not associated with residential ELF MFs present in apartments next to transformer stations. The duration of residence did not essentially change the HR. The risk of AD was slightly but not statistically significantly higher (HR 1.22, 95% confidence interval: 0.94–1.57) for those whose residence started before the age of 50 years. The results did not support positive findings from previous studies that have reported a link between AD and occupational or residential MF exposure. Bioelectromagnetics. 00:00–00, 2025.