A large case–control study finds no association between living near power lines and risk of ALS

Exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields, such as those generated by high-voltage power lines, has been speculated to increase risk of developing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). A population-based case–control study of 1,139 patients with ALS and 2,864 frequency-matched controls found no increased risk of ALS in persons living in close vicinity of a power line relative to persons who had never lived close to power lines. The authors also conducted a meta-analysis of previous studies, which corroborated their null finding.