Pei-Chun Chen, Institute of Environmental Health, National Taiwan University College of Public Health, 1 Jen Ai Road Section 1, Taipei, 100, Taiwan, 886-2-2312-3456 ext 8461, r88844013@ntu.edu.tw, Chung-Yi Li, Department of Public Health, Fu Jen University, 510 Chung Cheng Rd , Hsinchuang, Taipei, 24205, Taiwan, R. S. Lin, Institute of Preventive Health, National Taiwan University College of Public Health, 1 Jen Ai Road Section 1, Taipei, 100, Taiwan, and FungChang J Sung, College of Public Health, China Medical University, 91 Hseuh Shih Road, Taichung, 404, Taiwan.

The extremely low frequency magnetic fields generated by 50/60 Hz and their potential associations with reproductive health has not been well studied. To investigate the relationships between residential exposure to power frequency magnetic fields and the prevalence of low birth weight (LBW, less than 2500 grams), we conducted a cross-sectional study in an urban town in northern Taiwan between 1995 and 1996. The study subjects consisted of 1744 live-born singletons and their mothers. Trained interviewers collected the self-reported information from mothers on potential confounders and birth weight of their children and carried out short-term on site measurements of indoor magnetic field with an EMDEX £S dosimeter. The prevalence of LBW was 4.36% (n=76). After adjustments for maternal characteristics (age at delivery, education, alcohol consumption, smoking status), gender of child and birth order, the odds ratios of LBW (ORs) associated with residential exposure to magnetic field of ³ 2mG at living room and at background level were both 1.28 (95% CI 0.72-2.28 and 0.61-2.68, respectively), compared with the magnetic fields level of < 2mG. Results also showed no significant associations between the prevalence of LBW and residential exposure to magnetic fields in other locations (i.e. front door, bedroom of mothers and kitchen). This study suggests residential exposure to power frequency magnetic fields may not have association with LBW.

Learning Objectives: