Residential Magnetic Fields, Light-at-Night, and Nocturnal Urinary 6-Sulfatoxymelatonin Concentration in Women

Exposure to 60-Hz magnetic fields may increase breast cancer risk by suppressing the normal nocturnal rise in melatonin. This 1994–1996 Washington State study investigated whether such exposure was associated with lower nocturnal urinary concentration of 6-sulfatoxymelatonin in 203 women aged 20–74...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American journal of epidemiology 2001-10, Vol.154 (7), p.591-600
Main Authors: Davis, Scott, Kaune, William T., Mirick, Dana K., Chen, Chu, Stevens, Richard G.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adrenergic beta-Antagonists - pharmacology
Adult
Age Factors
Aged
Alcohol Drinking
Biological and medical sciences
BMI
Body Mass Index
breast neoplasms
Breast Neoplasms - etiology
Calcium Channel Blockers - pharmacology
carcinogens
Circadian Rhythm
electricity
electromagnetic fields
environmental
Female
Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics
Humans
Lighting
Magnetics
Mammary gland diseases
Medical sciences
melatonin
Melatonin - analogs & derivatives
Melatonin - urine
Menopause
Middle Aged
Psychotropic Drugs - pharmacology
Residence Characteristics
Risk Factors
Seasons
Smoking
Tumors
Citations: Items that cite this one
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Summary:Exposure to 60-Hz magnetic fields may increase breast cancer risk by suppressing the normal nocturnal rise in melatonin. This 1994–1996 Washington State study investigated whether such exposure was associated with lower nocturnal urinary concentration of 6-sulfatoxymelatonin in 203 women aged 20–74 years with no history of breast cancer. Each woman was interviewed and provided data on the following for a 72-hour period at two different seasons of the year: 1) magnetic field and ambient light measured every 30 seconds in her bedroom, 2) personal magnetic field measured at 30-second intervals, and 3) complete nighttime urine samples on three consecutive nights. Lower nocturnal urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin level was associated with more hours of daylight, older age, higher body mass index, current alcohol consumption, and current use of medications classified as beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, or psychotropics. After adjustment for these factors, higher bedroom magnetic field level was associated with significantly lower urinary concentration of 6-sulfatoxymelatonin during the same night, primarily in women who used these medications and during times of the year with the fewest hours of darkness. These results suggest that exposure to nighttime residential 60-Hz magnetic fields can depress the normal nocturnal rise in melatonin.
ISSN:0002-9262
1476-6256
0002-9262
DOI:10.1093/aje/154.7.591