Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia - Causes

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Chemicals. Determining whether exposure to specific chemicals causes or increases the risk for leukemia is a daunting challenge. About 75,000 synthetic chemicals were introduced in the first half of the century. In addition, investigators must study the emissions from cars, the pesticides in foods and in neighborhoods, and the runoff in drinking water.

Electromagnetic Fields. Some studies have reported an association between leukemia and high levels of electromagnetic radiation (EMR), although this is controversial. Lower levels of radiation (living near power lines, video screen emissions, small appliances, cell phones) are unlikely to pose any cancer risk.

Review Date: 01/16/2007
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital