HEALTH EFFECTS ASSOCIATED HEALTH EFFECTS ASSOCIATED WITH HUMAN EXPOSURE TO WITH HUMAN EXPOSURE TO RADIOFREQUENCY FIELDSRADIOFREQUENCY FIELDS

Jefferson County CommissionersJefferson County CommissionersJohn S. ReifJohn S. Reif

Department of Environmental Health Department of Environmental Health

Colorado State UniversityColorado State UniversityMay 27, 1999May 27, 1999

HUMAN CANCERS MOST FREQUENTLY HUMAN CANCERS MOST FREQUENTLY ASSOCIATED WITH EXPOSURE TO ASSOCIATED WITH EXPOSURE TO

60 Hz MAGNETIC FIELDS60 Hz MAGNETIC FIELDS

Childhood leukemia - residential studiesChildhood leukemia - residential studies

Brain cancer - occupational studies of persons Brain cancer - occupational studies of persons working in industries with EMF exposuresworking in industries with EMF exposures

Leukemia - occupational studies of persons Leukemia - occupational studies of persons working in industries with EMF exposuresworking in industries with EMF exposures

CASE-CONTROL STUDIES OF CANCER IN CASE-CONTROL STUDIES OF CANCER IN ELECTRIC UTILITY WORKERSELECTRIC UTILITY WORKERS

Study of 19,904 male cancer patients, 1980-1984.Study of 19,904 male cancer patients, 1980-1984.

Elevated leukemia risk for electrical workers, not Elevated leukemia risk for electrical workers, not present for other cancer sites.present for other cancer sites.

Overall leukemia risk was increased 62%*.Overall leukemia risk was increased 62%*.

Highest risks for radio and television repairers, Highest risks for radio and television repairers, (7.8*), electricians (1.7), linemen (2.4), and power (7.8*), electricians (1.7), linemen (2.4), and power station operators (3.9*).station operators (3.9*).

Pearce, Reif, Fraser. Int J Epidemiol, 1989

MAGNETIC FIELD EXPOSURE IN MAGNETIC FIELD EXPOSURE IN RELATION TO LEUKEMIA AND BRAIN RELATION TO LEUKEMIA AND BRAIN

CANCER MORTALITY AMONG ELECTRIC CANCER MORTALITY AMONG ELECTRIC UTILITY WORKERSUTILITY WORKERS

Study of 138,905 male workers employed at 5 large Study of 138,905 male workers employed at 5 large power companies, 1950-1986.power companies, 1950-1986.

Brain cancer risk was associated with total estimated Brain cancer risk was associated with total estimated exposure to magnetic fields.exposure to magnetic fields.

Brain cancer risk was 2.6* for the highest exposure Brain cancer risk was 2.6* for the highest exposure category in the past 2-10 years.category in the past 2-10 years.

Savitz et al. Am J Epidemiol, 1995

OCCUPATIONAL ELECTRIC AND OCCUPATIONAL ELECTRIC AND MAGNETIC FIELD EXPOSURE AND BRAIN MAGNETIC FIELD EXPOSURE AND BRAIN

CANCER: A META-ANALYSISCANCER: A META-ANALYSIS

Combined analysis of 29 studies published through Combined analysis of 29 studies published through 1995.1995.

Point estimate for 21 of 29 studies above 1.0 (some Point estimate for 21 of 29 studies above 1.0 (some evidence of increased risk).evidence of increased risk).

Pooled estimate for all 29 studies shows a 10 to 20 Pooled estimate for all 29 studies shows a 10 to 20 percent increase in risk, statistically significantpercent increase in risk, statistically significant

Kheifets et al, J Occ Environ Med, 1995

Radiation Exposure, Socioeconomic Status, Radiation Exposure, Socioeconomic Status, and Brain Tumor Risk in the U.S. Air Forceand Brain Tumor Risk in the U.S. Air Force

Cohort study of male Air Force personnel 1970-Cohort study of male Air Force personnel 1970-1989.1989.

Job exposure matrix to estimate exposure to ELF Job exposure matrix to estimate exposure to ELF and RF.and RF.

Personnel exposed to radiofrequency/microwave Personnel exposed to radiofrequency/microwave radiation had increased (1.39*) risk of brain radiation had increased (1.39*) risk of brain cancer cancer

Military rank associated with brain tumor risk. Military rank associated with brain tumor risk.

Grayson, Am J Epidemiol, 1996

BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS DEMONSTRATED BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS DEMONSTRATED WITH EXPOSURE TO RF FIELDSWITH EXPOSURE TO RF FIELDS

Membrane effects: cation transport, Ca ++ effluxMembrane effects: cation transport, Ca ++ efflux

Signal transduction effects: protein kinases, ornithine Signal transduction effects: protein kinases, ornithine decarboxylasedecarboxylase

Cell proliferative responses and transformationCell proliferative responses and transformation

cell cycle alterations cell cycle alterations

Immune system studies: lymphocyte cytotoxicityImmune system studies: lymphocyte cytotoxicity

Nervous system studies: Nervous system studies: Melatonin suppression (60 Melatonin suppression (60 Hz), neurotransmitters, electrical activityHz), neurotransmitters, electrical activity

Repacholi, Bioelectromagnetics, 1998Repacholi, Bioelectromagnetics, 1998

Studies of exposure to Studies of exposure to Broadcast and Military Broadcast and Military Radio and TV towersRadio and TV towers

Investigation of Increased Incidence in Investigation of Increased Incidence in Childhood Leukemia near Radio Childhood Leukemia near Radio

Towers in Hawaii:Towers in Hawaii:

Cluster evaluation of 12 children from the Cluster evaluation of 12 children from the Waianae coast with acute leukemia 1979-1990. Waianae coast with acute leukemia 1979-1990.

Cases occurred in vicinity of a military installation Cases occurred in vicinity of a military installation with low frequency radio towers (23.4 KHz).with low frequency radio towers (23.4 KHz).

Leukemia incidence increased significantly (2.09*)Leukemia incidence increased significantly (2.09*)Leukemia mortality weakly associated with Leukemia mortality weakly associated with

proximity to the towers within 2.6 miles.proximity to the towers within 2.6 miles.

Maskarinec et al, J Environ Path, Tox, Oncol 1994

Cancer Incidence and Mortality and Cancer Incidence and Mortality and Proximity to TV Towers (Australia)Proximity to TV Towers (Australia)

Ecological study of cancer incidence and mortality Ecological study of cancer incidence and mortality in municipalities surrounding North Sydney TV in municipalities surrounding North Sydney TV towers. towers.

Rates compared for 3 inner (TV tower) and 6 Rates compared for 3 inner (TV tower) and 6 outer areas.outer areas.

Childhood leukemia incidence increased (1.58*)Childhood leukemia incidence increased (1.58*)Childhood leukemia mortality increased (2.32*)Childhood leukemia mortality increased (2.32*)

Hocking et al, Med J Australia, 1996

Cancer Incidence Near Radio and Cancer Incidence Near Radio and Television Transmitters in Great Television Transmitters in Great

Britain: Sutton Coldfield TransmitterBritain: Sutton Coldfield TransmitterCluster evaluation of cancer incidence for 1974-Cluster evaluation of cancer incidence for 1974-

1986. Risk of cancer measured in 4 concentric 1986. Risk of cancer measured in 4 concentric rings up to 10 Km from transmitter,rings up to 10 Km from transmitter,

Acute leukemia risk was increased within 1.25 Acute leukemia risk was increased within 1.25 miles of towers to 1.83* and declined with miles of towers to 1.83* and declined with distance*.distance*.

Brain cancer risk also increased (1.3, ns)Brain cancer risk also increased (1.3, ns)Findings not replicated in 20 transmitter studyFindings not replicated in 20 transmitter study

Dolk et al, Amer J Epidemiol, 1997

Colorado Department of Public Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Study Health and Environment Study of Brain and Central Nervous of Brain and Central Nervous System Cancers in Residents System Cancers in Residents

Adjacent to the Lookout Adjacent to the Lookout Mountain Antenna FarmMountain Antenna Farm

CDPHE Study of Brain and Central Nervous CDPHE Study of Brain and Central Nervous System Cancers in Residents Adjacent to System Cancers in Residents Adjacent to

the Lookout Mountain Antenna Farmthe Lookout Mountain Antenna Farm

June, 1998 Census Tract analysis was based only June, 1998 Census Tract analysis was based only on cancer sites selected on cancer sites selected a prioria priori

Brain tumor O/E ratio for the entire tract was Brain tumor O/E ratio for the entire tract was elevated (1.36)elevated (1.36)

February, 1999 block group analysis shows February, 1999 block group analysis shows statistically increased risks for men in BG 3 with statistically increased risks for men in BG 3 with over 4 times as many malignant brain tumors as over 4 times as many malignant brain tumors as expected and for benign tumors in women in BG 2 expected and for benign tumors in women in BG 2 with over 5 times expected.with over 5 times expected.

CDPHE Study (Continued)CDPHE Study (Continued)

February, 1999 block group analysis showed February, 1999 block group analysis showed highest risk for brain cancer in men in area with highest risk for brain cancer in men in area with highest exposures.highest exposures.

Not all persons in BG 3 exposed - risk is Not all persons in BG 3 exposed - risk is underestimatedunderestimated

A tight clustering of cases in time is not expected A tight clustering of cases in time is not expected due to variations in exposure and latencydue to variations in exposure and latency

Further study recommended (exposure Further study recommended (exposure assessment, other outcomes)assessment, other outcomes)

CONCLUSIONSCONCLUSIONSRF data base inadequate to assess causalityRF data base inadequate to assess causalityCDPHE study of cancer incidence shows an CDPHE study of cancer incidence shows an

association with male brain cancer in vicinity of association with male brain cancer in vicinity of Lookout Mountain, Jefferson county.Lookout Mountain, Jefferson county.

Biological mechanisms have been demonstrated for Biological mechanisms have been demonstrated for 60Hz and/or RF which could lead to increased 60Hz and/or RF which could lead to increased cancer in humans.cancer in humans.

The evidence is adequate to dictate a cautionary The evidence is adequate to dictate a cautionary approach and avoidance of any additional exposures approach and avoidance of any additional exposures to RF fieldsto RF fields

““We did not intend to imply in our review that radio We did not intend to imply in our review that radio frequency fields (RF) transmissions are not associated frequency fields (RF) transmissions are not associated with cancer. We do not currently know whether such with cancer. We do not currently know whether such an association exists; no one does.” (April 26, 1999)an association exists; no one does.” (April 26, 1999)

Michael A. McGeehin, PhD, MSPHMichael A. McGeehin, PhD, MSPH

Director (Acting)Director (Acting)

Division of Environmental Hazards and Health EffectsDivision of Environmental Hazards and Health Effects

National Center for Environmental HealthNational Center for Environmental Health

Centers for Disease Control and PreventionCenters for Disease Control and Prevention

Public Health Service, DHHSPublic Health Service, DHHS