Study type: Epidemiological study (observational study)

Childhood leukemia in relation to radio frequency electromagnetic fields in the vicinity of TV and radio broadcast transmitters epidem.

Published in: Am J Epidemiol 2008; 168 (10): 1169-1178

Aim of study (acc. to author)

A case-control study was conducted in Germany to investigate the association between childhood leukemia and radio frequency electromagnetic fields in the vicinity of TV and radio broadcast transmitters.

Further details

Municipalities in the vicinity of AM transmitters with effective monopole radiated power of at least 200 kW and FM/TV transmitters with aggregated effective radiated power of at least 200 kW (FM) or 500 kW (TV) were selected as study region. Individual exposure was calculated with a field strength prediction program based on the operating characteristics of the transmitters.

Endpoint/type of risk estimation

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

Exposure

Assessment

Exposure groups

Group Description
Reference group 1 exposure to AM and FM/TV transmitters: 0 - < 90 % quantiles: 0.004 - < 0.504 V/m
Group 2 exposure to AM and FM/TV transmitters: 90 - < 95 % quantiles: 0.504 - < 0.701 V/m
Group 3 exposure to AM and FM/TV transmitters: 95 - ≤ 100 % quantiles: 0.701 - 7.742 V/m
Reference group 4 exposure to AM transmitters: 0 - < 90 % quantiles: 0.000 - < 0.488 V/m
Group 5 exposure to AM transmitters: 90 - < 95 % quantiles: 0.488 - < 0.683 V/m
Group 6 exposure to AM transmitters: 95 - ≤ 100 % quantiles: 0.683 - 7.741 V/m
Reference group 7 exposure to FM/TV transmitters: 0 - < 90 % quantiles: < 0.001 - < 0.164 V/m
Group 8 exposure to FM/TV transmitters: 90 - < 95 % quantiles: 0.164 - < 0.198 V/m
Group 9 exposure to FM/TV transmitters: 95 - ≤ 100 % quantiles: 0.198 - 0.815 V/m
Reference group 10 exposure to AM and FM/TV transmitters in 1983 - 1991: 0 - < 90 % quantiles: 0.004 - < 0.546 V/m
Group 11 exposure to AM and FM/TV transmitters in 1983 - 1991: 90 - < 95 % quantiles: 0.546 - < 0.779 V/m
Group 12 exposure to AM and FM/TV transmitters in 1983 - 1991: 95 - ≤ 100 % quantiles: 0.779 - < 7.022 V/m
Reference group 13 exposure to AM and FM/TV transmitters in 1992 - 2002: 0 - < 90 % quantiles: 0.005 - < 0.486 V/m
Group 14 exposure to AM and FM/TV transmitters in 1992 - 2002: 90 - < 95 % quantiles: 0.468 - < 0.653 V/m
Group 15 exposure to AM and FM/TV transmitters in 1992 - 2002: 95 - ≤ 100 % quantiles: 0.653 - < 7.742 V/m
Reference group 16 exposure to AM and FM/TV transmitters, children who did not move between birth and diagnosis: 0 - < 90 % quantiles: 0.004 - < 0.553 V/m
Group 17 exposure to AM and FM/TV transmitters, children who did not move between birth and diagnosis: 90 - < 95 % quantiles: 0.553 - < 0.788 V/m
Group 18 exposure to AM and FM/TV transmitters, children who did not move between birth and diagnosis: 95 - ≤ 100 % quantiles: 0.788 - < 7.742 V/m
Reference group 19 exposure to AM and FM/TV transmitters, children aged 1 - 4 years: 0 - < 90 % quantiles: 0.004 - < 0.520 V/m
Group 20 exposure to AM and FM/TV transmitters, children aged 1 - 4 years: 90 - < 95 % quantiles: 0.520 - < 0.751 V/m
Group 21 exposure to AM and FM/TV transmitters, children aged 1 - 4 years: 95 - ≤ 100 % quantiles: 0.751 - 7.742 V/m
Group 22 distance to AM and FM/TV transmitters: 0 - < 2 km
Group 23 distance to AM and FM/TV transmitters: 2 - < 6 km
Group 24 distance to AM and FM/TV transmitters: 6 - < 10 km
Reference group 25 distance to AM and FM/TV transmitters: 10 - < 15 km
Group 26 distance to AM and FM/TV transmitters: ≥ 15 km
Group 27 distance to AM transmitter: 0 - < 2 km
Group 28 distance to AM transmitter: 2 - < 6 km
Group 29 distance to AM transmitter: 6 - < 10 km
Reference group 30 distance to AM transmitter: 10 - < 15 km
Group 31 distance to AM transmitter: ≥ 15 km
Group 32 distance to FM/TV transmitter: 0 - < 2 km
Group 33 distance to FM/TV transmitter: 2 - < 6 km
Group 34 distance to FM/TV transmitter: 6 - < 10 km
Reference group 35 distance to FM/TV transmitter: 10 - < 15 km
Group 36 distance to FM/TV transmitter: ≥ 15 km

Population

Case group

Control group

Study size

Cases Controls
Eligible 2,086 -
Participants 1,959 5,848
Statistical analysis method:

Results (acc. to author)

The study did not show any increased risk for the association between childhood leukemia and radio frequency electromagnetic fields in the vicinity of TV and radio broadcast transmitters. No increased risk was observed in the separate analysis of AM and FM/TV transmitters or for the time period 1983-1992.

Study funded by

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