Background:There is concern regarding the possible health effects of exposure to sources of extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF MF) at the microtesla level, mainly as a possible risk factor for childhood leukaemia. However, no biological mechanism is known, to explain an association at such low levels and little is known about the real everyday exposure of children. Aims:Within the framework of the EU FP7 research project "Advanced Research on Interaction Mechanisms of electromagnetic exposures with Organisms for Risk Assessments" (ARIMMORA) our study aims to close a knowledge gap of levels and temporal patterns of exposure for European children. Methods:Three groups (n=50) of a total of 150 children (age: 5-13) in Italy and Switzerland are equipped with personal measurement devices (EMDEX Ⅱ) and a GPS logger to record ELF MF exposure during their regular activity during 48 hours twice, in summer and winter. Furthermore a time-activity diary about the children's whereabouts is filled in and spot measurements in the children's bedrooms are conducted. Group Ⅰ consists of children living or attending school within 200m of a high voltage power line; group Ⅱ comprises children living in a building with a transformer substation and group Ⅲ represents a control group composed of children sampled randomly. Exposure patterns derived from the measurements are analysed according to location and behavioural activity. Results:Preliminary results of the summer measurements from 40 Italian and 70 Swiss children show an overall median geometric mean exposure of 0.03μT with an interquartile range (IQR) of 0.02μT. A linear mixed model clustering for children of the same family reveals no significant differences according to group, country, age or urban setting. Median geometric mean of spot measurements in the bedroom was 0.03μT (IQR 0.03μT). Weighted kappa coefficient for exposure classification (＜0.1μT, 0.1-0.3μT, ＞0.3μT) of personal and spot measurements was 0.344.
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