Residential exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields and the risk of ALS

Several studies have reported on the possible association between the risk of developing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and employment in the electrical industry, which may be related to extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) exposure or the risk of experiencing an electric shock, although no direct association has been proven.1 Three previous studies reported on ALS risk related to living near power lines, an important source of ELF-EMF exposure for the general population.2–4 These studies reported a null finding but had some shortcomings as they were based on registry data and had no detailed clinical data available. We therefore performed a large population-based case-control study with detailed phenotypic data to assess the relation between residential exposure to ELF-EMF from power lines and the risk of ALS. Acknowledgment: The authors thank Petra Berk, PhD (University Medical Center Utrecht), Hermieneke Vergunst (University Medical Center Utrecht), and Dorien Standaar (Amsterdam Medical Center) for technical assistance; all neurologists, consultants in rehabilitation medicine, and other health care providers for enrolling patients with ALS; and the patients with ALS and controls.