ELECTRIC RAZORS MAY INCREASE RISK OF LEUKEMIA

According to a recent scientific study, shaving with an electric razor may double a man’s chance of contracting leukemia. The study, conducted at Battelle Memorial Institute’s Pacific Northwest Laboratory in Richland, Washington found that men who used electric razors for 2 1/2 minutes a day were more than twice as likely to contract leukemia than men who did not use electric razors at all. The researchers were quick to point out that while the study suggested a possible link between electric shavers and leukemia, it does not prove that such razors cause cancer.

Much of the speculation centers around electromagnetic fields. Such a field is created when electricity passes through a wire. The field becomes more powerful with an increase in current. Some scientists think that electromagnetic fields can trigger cellular changes that lead to cancer. However, there is currently no scientific proof that an electric field can cause cancer.

Researchers at Battelle based their study on the supposition that the closer to his face a man used an electric motor to his face, the greater the risk of cancer.

Small appliances such as television sets, hair dryers and electric blankets are currently being studied because the magnetic fields they generate are relatively potent within several inches. Most such small appliances are used in close proximity with humans. The researchers involved in the Battelle study said that electric razors put out a stronger magnetic field than appliances such as hair dryers and personal massagers.

Another study—this one at the Oak Ridge Associated Universities—indicates that there is “no convincing evidence” to support any link between cancer and the use of small appliances. According to the findings from this study, exposure to the extremely low frequency electric and magnetic fields emitted by sources including household appliances, video display terminals (VDTs) and local power lines, has not been proven to constitute an increased health hazard.

A third study—conducted in Sweden—indicates that children who are exposed to relatively weak electromagnetic fields from local power lines may develop leukemia at almost four times the “normal” rate.

The Swedish study took place at Karolinska Institute in Stockholm and looked at 500,000 children and adults in Sweden who lived near power lines. Researchers discovered that children who were exposed to electromagnetic fields from neighborhood power transmission lines were developed leukemia at the rate of 3.8-in -20,000 instead of the typical rate of 1- in- 20,000.

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