Epidemiological study (observational study)

Increased incidence of cancer near a cell-phone transmitter station epidem.

By: Wolf R, Wolf D

Published in: Int J Canc Prev 2004; 1 (2): 123-128

Journal partially peer-reviewed/peer-review process unclear

Aim of study (acc. to author)

A study was conducted in Israel to determine whether the incidence of cancer cases among individuals exposed to a mobile phone base station is different from that expected in Israel, in Netanya, or as compared to people who lived in a nearby area.

Endpoint/type of risk estimation

all cancer

Type of risk estimation:

incidence

Exposure

- TDMA
- mobile communications
- mobile phone base station
- residential

Assessment

list: mobile phone base station operating since July 1996; measured and predicted power densities for 850 MHz were far below 0.53 µW/cm² in the whole exposed area

Exposure groups

Group	Description
Reference group 1	inhabitants of Netanya
Reference group 2	persons in area B living in a distance to base station: > 350 m
Group 3	persons in area A living in a distance to base station: ≤ 350 m

Population

Group:
- men
- women
Characteristics: patients living in area A for at least 3-7 years
Observation period: July 1997 - June 1998
Study location: Israel (Netanya)
Data source: medical clinic, Hasharon Region, Kupat Holim, Israel

Study size

Type	Value
Total	622

Other:

total 8 cases: 7 cases in women (3 cases of breast carcinoma, 1 case of ovary carcinoma, lung carcinoma, Hodgkin disease, osteoid osteoma); 1 male case (hypernephroma)

Statistical analysis method:

Chi-square test

Results (acc. to author)

Of the 622 people of area A, 8 cases of different kinds of cancer were diagnosed in a period of one year (from July 1997 - June 1998). The cancer incidence rate was 129 cases per 10,000 persons per year in area A compared to 16/10,000 in area B and 31/10,000 in the town of Netanya. Relative cancer rates for females were 10.5 for area A, 0.6 for area B and 1 for Netanya.
The authors conclude that the study indicates an association between increased incidence of cancer and living in proximity to a mobile phone base station.

Limitations (acc. to author)

The latency period of less than 2 years was very short.

Study funded by

not stated/no funding

Stewart A et al. (2012): Mobile telecommunications and health: report of an investigation into an alleged cancer cluster in Sandwell, West Midlands
Dode AC et al. (2011): Mortality by neoplasia and cellular telephone base stations in the Belo Horizonte municipality, Minas Gerais state, Brazil
Eger H et al. (2009): [Incidence of cancer adjacent to a mobile telephone basis station in Westfalia]
Meyer M et al. (2006): [Cellular telephone relay stations and cancer incidence]
Eger H et al. (2004): [Influence of proximity to mobile telephony transmitters on cancer incidence]
Rothman KJ et al. (1996): Overall mortality of cellular telephone customers

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