Study type: Epidemiological study (observational study)

Occupational exposure to radio frequency/microwave radiation and the risk of brain tumors: Interphone Study Group, Germany epidem.

Published in: Am J Epidemiol 2006; 164 (6): 538-548

Aim of study (acc. to author)

The association between occupational exposure to radio frequency/microwave radiation and the risk of brain tumors was investigated in the German part of the Interphone Study.

Further details

Exposure to radio frequency/microwave radiation was assessed by a job exposure matrix. For each subject the probable exposure was calculated by using information about the activities and duration of exposure. High exposure was defined as an occupational exposure that may exceed the radio frequency/microwave exposure limits for the general public recommended by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection, ICNIRP (publication 3602). .

Endpoint/type of risk estimation

Type of risk estimation: (odds ratio (OR))

Exposure

Assessment

Exposure groups

Group Description
Reference group 1 total exposure: no/not probable exposure
Group 2 total exposure: probable/high exposure
Reference group 3 probable exposure: no exposure
Group 4 probable exposure: not probable
Group 5 probable exposure: probable
Group 6 probable exposure: high
Reference group 7 duration of high exposure: not highly exposed
Group 8 duration of high exposure: highly exposed for < 10 years
Group 9 duration of high exposure: highly exposed for ≥ 10 years

Population

Case group

Control group

Study size

Cases Controls
Eligible 891 2,449
Participants 747 1,535
Participation rate 84 % 63 %
Other:

366 glioma cases and 381 meningioma cases

Statistical analysis method: (adjustment: )

Results (acc. to author)

104 persons were considered probably exposed to radio frequency/microwave radiation and 87 as highly exposed. No significant association between occupational exposure to radio frequency/microwave radiation and the risk of glioma or menigioma in the total study population was observed. A slight increase in risk was found with increasing duration and high exposure, but these results were based on low numbers.

Study funded by

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