Epidemiological study (observational study)

Health response of two communities to military antennae in Cyprus epidem.

By: Preece AW, Georgiou AG, Dunn EJ, Farrow SC

Published in: Occup Environ Med 2007; 64 (6): 402-408

Aim of study (acc. to author)

A health survey was conducted to evaluate the health effects caused by high frequency radio waves from military antenna systems at Akrotiri, Cyprus.

Further details

Data on the electromagnetic field exposure and health information were collected in following three sites: the 'exposed' communities Akrotiri and Asomatos (in a distance of 1-3 km to the military antenna), and the 'unexposed' village Pano Kyvides (in a distance of 15 km).

Endpoint/type of risk estimation

all cancer
all childhood cancer
reproductive effects and pregnancy outcomes: reproductive history, sex ratio, congenital abnormalities
specific illnesses such as diabetes, migraine; childhood illnesses
mortality
general health, risk perception

Exposure

- RF
- residential

Assessment

measurement: every 10 min for maximum, average, and minimum signal for the high and ultra high frequency channels during the 10 min interval

Exposure groups

Group	Description
Reference group 1	Pano Kyvides: < 0.01 V/m
Group 2	Akrotiri: average broadband outdoor field strength (all sources, military, civil and broadcast): 0.57 V/m; military transmission (17.6 MHz): 0.11 V/m
Group 3	Asomatos: average broadband outdoor field strength (all sources, military, civil and broadcast): 0.46 V/m; military transmission (17.6 MHz): 0.04 V/m

Population

Group:
- men
- women
- children
Characteristics: residents of three villages in Cyprus
Observation period: 2001
Study location: Cyprus (Akrotiri, Asomatos, and Pano Kyvides)

Study size

Type	Value
Eligible	2,150
Participation rate	87 %

Other:

800 inhabitants in Akrotiri, 350 in Asomatos and 1000 in Pano Kyvides

Statistical analysis method:

logistic regression
Chi-square test

Results (acc. to author)

Compared with the control village, there were significant differences in the reporting of migraine (unadjusted OR for Akrotiri: 2.7; CI 1.82-4.10), headache (unadjusted OR for Akrotiri: 3.7; CI 2.71-5.00), and dizziness (unadjusted OR 2.7) among the residents of the exposed communities. There was no evidence of increased cancer incidence, childhood illness or negative reproductive effects among the exposed residents. They showed greater negative views of their health in all eight domains of the SF-36 health survey. There were also higher levels of perceived risk, particularly to noise and electrosmog. The possible effect on mortality could not be determined due to uncertain data.
The authors conclude that the results of this study do not exclude the possibility that proximity to electromagnetic field sources have an effect on well-being and health. However, the measured field levels do not suggest any causal association, even close (in a distance of 1-3 km) to powerful military antenna transmissions, the dominant sources of radiofrequency fields were cell phone base stations and national broadcast systems. Part of the explanation of the health effects could be heightened risk perception. Residential proximity to the military antennae may also be associated with general pollution, including aircraft noise.

Study funded by

Ministry of Health, Cyprus

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