Indoor transformer stations and ELF magnetic field exposure: Use of transformer structural characteristics to improve exposure assessment

11Citations
Citations of this article
19Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.
Get full text

Abstract

Previous studies have shown that populations of multiapartment buildings with indoor transformer stations may serve as a basis for improved epidemiological studies on the relationship between childhood leukaemia and extremely-low-frequency (ELF) magnetic fields (MFs). This study investigated whether classification based on structural characteristics of the transformer stations would improve ELF MF exposure assessment. The data included MF measurements in apartments directly above transformer stations ("exposed" apartments) in 30 buildings in Finland, and reference apartments in the same buildings. Transformer structural characteristics (type and location of low-voltage conductors) were used to classify exposed apartments into high-exposure (HE) and intermediate-exposure (IE) categories. An exposure gradient was observed: both the time-average MF and time above a threshold (0.4 μT) were highest in the HE apartments and lowest in the reference apartments, showing a statistically significant trend. The differences between HE and IE apartments, however, were not statistically significant. A simulation exercise showed that the three-category classification did not perform better than a two-category classification (exposed and reference apartments) in detecting the existence of an increased risk. However, data on the structural characteristics of transformers is potentially useful for evaluating exposure-response relationship. © 2014 Nature America, Inc.

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Okokon, E. O., Roivainen, P., Kheifets, L., Mezei, G., & Juutilainen, J. (2014). Indoor transformer stations and ELF magnetic field exposure: Use of transformer structural characteristics to improve exposure assessment. Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology, 24(1), 100–104. https://doi.org/10.1038/jes.2013.54

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free