Epidemiological study (observational study)

Cancer incidence near radio and television transmitters in Great Britain. II. All high power transmitters epidem.

By: Dolk H, Elliott P, Shaddick G, Walls P, Thakrar B

Published in: Am J Epidemiol 1997; 145 (1): 10-17

Aim of study (acc. to author)

The cancer incidence in 1974 - 1986 was investigated in the vicinity of 20 high TV and FM radio transmitters in Great Britain. Significant declines in risk for adult leukemia, skin melanoma, and bladder cancer with distance from the Sutton Coldfield transmitter were found in a previous study (publication 1930).

Further details

The analysis was carried out for each transmitter separately, for all transmitters combined, and for 4 transmitter groups: group 1: TV transmitters of 870 - 1000 kW ERP, group 2: TV transmitters of 500 - 1000 kW ERP, group 3: all FM transmitters of 250 kW ERP, and group 4: all transmitters with a combination of TV (≥ 500 kW ERP) and FM (250 kW ERP) transmission.

Endpoint/type of risk estimation

leukemia and lymphoma: acute leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, acute lymphatic leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia, chronic lymphatic leukemia
brain tumor
skin melanoma, bladder cancer
childhood leukemia
childhood brain/CNS tumor

Type of risk estimation:

incidence

Exposure

- TV broadcast (VHF/UHF)
- FM broadcast (UKW)
- residential

Assessment

measurement

Exposure groups

Group	Description
Group 1	distance from transmitter: 0 - 0.5 km
Group 2	distance from transmitter: 0.5 - 1.0 km
Group 3	distance from transmitter: 1.0 - 2.0 km
Group 4	distance from transmitter: 2.0 - 3.0 km
Group 5	distance from transmitter: 3.0 - 4.9 km
Group 6	distance from transmitter: 4.9 - 6.3 km
Group 7	distance from transmitter: 6.3 - 7.4 km
Group 8	distance from transmitter: 7.4 - 8.3 km
Group 9	distance from transmitter: 8.3 - 9.2 km
Group 10	distance from transmitter: 9.2 - 10 km

Population

Group:
- men
- women
- children
Characteristics: residents
Observation period: 1974 - 1986
Study location: Great Britain (circles of 10 km radius from each transmitter)
Data source: cancer registries, Great Britain

Study size

Type	Value
Total	3,390,000

Statistical analysis method:

unconditional logistic regression
conditional logistic regression
Stone's test

(adjustment:

5-year age group
sex
socioeconomic status

)

Results (acc. to author)

3,305 adult leukemia cases were found in the distance of 0 to 10 km from all transmitters (observed/expected ratio 1.03; CI 1.00-1.07). A decline in risk of adult leukemia was observed for all transmitters combined.
The results showed no decline in risk of childhood leukemia and brain cancer, adult skin melanoma and bladder cancer with increasing distance from the transmitters. The magnitude and pattern of risk found in the vicinity of the Sutton Coldfield transmitter (publication 1930) did not appear to be replicated. The authors concluded that the result at most gave no more than very weak support to the previous findings.

Study funded by

Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety. Northern Ireland
Department of Health, UK
Department of the Environment, Health and Safety Executive, UK
Scottish Office, UK
Wales Office, UK

Comments on this article

Cooper D et al. (2001): Reply: "Cancer incidence near radio and television transmitters in Great Britain. I. Sutton Coldfield transmitter; II. All high power transmitters"
Cherry N (2001): Re: "Cancer incidence near radio and television transmitters in Great Britain. I. Sutton Coldfield transmitter; II. All high power transmitters"
Hocking B et al. (1998): Reply: "Cancer incidence near radio and television transmitters in Great Britain. I. Sutton Coldfield transmitter. II. All high power transmitters"
Lawrence DW (1997): Re: "Cancer incidence near radio and television transmitters in Great Britain"

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