Extremely Low Frequency Magnetic Field Exposure and Parkinson's Disease-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Data

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between occupational exposure to extremely-low-frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) and Parkinson's disease. METHODS: We systematically searched publications reporting risk estimates of Parkinson's disease in workers exposed to ELF-MF. Summary relative risks were obtained with random effects meta-analysis. RESULTS: We included 11 studies. To assign exposure, four studies evaluated occupational records, four used census, interview or questionnaire information and three used death certificates. Risk of Parkinson's disease was not elevated in workers exposed to ELF-MF with a summary relative risk of 1.05, 95% CI 0.98-1.13. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, there was no evidence that the exposure to ELF-MF increases the risk of Parkinson's disease.