Epidemiological study (observational study)

Cancer risks in the Druze Isifya Village: Reasons and RF/MW antennas epidem.

By: Atzmon I, Linn S, Richter E, Portnov BA

Published in: Pathophysiology 2012; 19 (1): 21-28

Aim of study (acc. to author)

A population-based case-control study was conducted in Israel to investigate the association between past exposure to mobile phone base stations as well as broadcasting stations and cancer risks.

Further details

The first radio transmitters in the Isifya village were erected in the beginning of the 1970s. Mobile phone base stations were added in the 1990s. In 2000 (before the start of the study), all mobile phone base stations and radio transmitters in the village were destroyed by local residents who attributed different health symptoms to the electromagnetic field exposure.

Endpoint/type of risk estimation

leukemia and lymphoma
brain tumor
breast cancer
colorectal, lung, uterine, liver, stomach, ovarian, pancreas, prostate, cervix, and bladder cancer
all cancer

Type of risk estimation:

incidence

(odds ratio (OR))

Exposure

- also other exposures without EMF
- Radio/TV transmitter
- mobile communications
- mobile phone base station
- wireless transmitter
- residential

Assessment

interview: use of cellular phones; exposure to wireless equipment in the house (such as DECT telephones)
calculation: distance between residence and closest RF/MW transmitter, exposure time (years)

Exposure groups

Group	Description
Group 1	distance between residence and closest transmitter: 0 - 50 m
Group 2	distance between residence and closest transmitter: > 50 - 100 m
Group 3	distance between residence and closest transmitter: > 100 - 150 m
Group 4	distance between residence and closest transmitter: > 150 - 200 m
Group 5	distance between residence and closest transmitter: > 200 - 250 m
Group 6	distance between residence and closest transmitter: > 250 - 300 m
Group 7	distance between residence and closest transmitter: > 300 - 350 m
Group 8	distance between residence and closest transmitter: > 350 - 400 m

Population

Group:
- men
- women
Observation period: 1989 - 2007
Study location: Israel (Isifya village)

Case group

Characteristics: cancer with confirmed diagnosis
Data source: medical documents

Control group

Selection:
- population-based

Study size

	Cases	Controls
Participants	47	260

Statistical analysis method:

logistic regression

Results (acc. to author)

No association between past exposure to mobile phone base stations as well as broadcasting stations and overall cancer risks was observed (n=47; OR 1.00; CI 0.99-1.02), only colorectal cancer showed a negligible elevated adjusted risk associated with electromagnetic field intensity (n=11; OR 1.03; CI 1.01-1.05). Past occupational exposures to chemicals (e.g., pesticides) as well as electronics were found to be strongly associated with increased cancer risks (all sites: OR 2.79; CI 1.14-6.82).
The authors concluded that the study did not confirm the suspicion of increased cancer risks associated with exposure to electromagnetic fields for most cancer types in this village. There was evidence for an increased risk of cancers which were associated with chemicals and electronics, where there may have been exposures to electromagnetic fields.

Limitations (acc. to author)

Misclassification of past exposures is possible due to the removal of the antennas.

Study funded by

not stated/no funding

Hauri DD et al. (2014): Exposure to Radio-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields From Broadcast Transmitters and Risk of Childhood Cancer: A Census-based Cohort Study
Spinelli V et al. (2010): Occupational and environmental risk factors for brain cancer: a pilot case-control study in France
Schmiedel S et al. (2009): [Childhood leukemia in relation to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields emitted from television and radio broadcast transmitters: results of a case-control study]
Eger H et al. (2009): [Incidence of cancer adjacent to a mobile telephone basis station in Westfalia]
Merzenich H et al. (2008): Childhood leukemia in relation to radio frequency electromagnetic fields in the vicinity of TV and radio broadcast transmitters
Preece AW et al. (2007): Health response of two communities to military antennae in Cyprus
Ha M et al. (2007): Radio-frequency radiation exposure from AM radio transmitters and childhood leukemia and brain cancer
Eger H et al. (2004): [Influence of proximity to mobile telephony transmitters on cancer incidence]
Ha M et al. (2003): Incidence of cancer in the vicinity of Korean AM radio transmitters
Michelozzi P et al. (2002): Adult and childhood leukemia near a high-power radio station in Rome, Italy
McKenzie DR et al. (1998): Childhood incidence of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and exposure to broadcast radiation in Sydney - a second look
Dolk H et al. (1997): Cancer incidence near radio and television transmitters in Great Britain. II. All high power transmitters
Dolk H et al. (1997): Cancer incidence near radio and television transmitters in Great Britain. I. Sutton Coldfield transmitter
Hocking B et al. (1996): Cancer incidence and mortality and proximity to TV towers
Maskarinec G et al. (1994): Investigation of increased incidence in childhood leukemia near radio towers in Hawaii: preliminary observations