Environmental RF exposure in Stockholm Old Town compared with tumour risks in rats in the Ramazzini Study

2018 · Unclear · Insufficient evidence

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UnclearInsufficient evidencePaper 1959

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2018

Study typeexposure_assessment

Reported directionUnclear

Evidence ratingInsufficient

Abstract

Environmental RF exposure in Stockholm Old Town compared with tumour risks in rats in the Ramazzini Study Hardell L, Carlberg M. Hedendahl L, Koppel T, Ahonen M. (2018) Environmental radiofrequency radiation at the Järntorget Square in Stockholm Old Town, Sweden in May, 2018 compared with results on brain and heart tumour risks in rats exposed to 1.8 GHz base station environmental emissions. World Academy of Sciences Journal. January-February 2019. DOI: 10.3892/wasj.2018.5 Abstract Radiofrequency (RF) radiation in the frequency range 30 kHz to 300 GHz was evaluated in 2011 by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) at WHO to be a 'possible human carcinogen' Group 2B. The conclusion was based on human epidemiological studies on an increased risk of glioma and acoustic neuroma. In previous measurement studies, we found high environmental RF radiation levels at certain public places and also in an apartment in Stockholm, Sweden. One such place was the Järntorget square in the Stockholm Old Town. The EME Spy exposimeter was used for these studies. We have now conducted a field spatial distribution measurement with a radiofrequency broadband analyser. The maximum E-field topped at 11.6 V/m at the centre of the square, where the antenna was focused. Järntorget's mean value was 5.2 V/m, median 5.0 V/m, range 1.2-11.6 V/m. Of interest is that this level can be compared to a lifespan carcinogenicity study on rats exposed to 1.8 GHz GSM environmental radiation performed at the Ramazzini Institute (RI) in Italy. A statistically significant increase in the incidence of malignant schwannoma in the heart was found in male rats at the highest dose, 50 V/m. In treated female rats at the highest dose, the incidence of malignant glial tumours was increased, although this was not statistically significant. On the whole, the findings of this study showed that RF radiation levels at one square, Järntorget, in Sweden, were only one order of magnitude lower than those showing an increased incidence of tumours in the RI animal study. An increased cancer risk cannot be excluded for those working in the proximity of Järntorget for longer time periods. PDF: worldacademyofsciences.com

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AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeexposure_assessment

Effect directionunclear

PopulationNot supplied

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF · 1800 MHz

Evidence strengthInsufficientConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: unknown

Main findings

A field spatial distribution measurement at Järntorget Square (Stockholm Old Town) reported a maximum E-field of 11.6 V/m and mean 5.2 V/m (median 5.0 V/m; range 1.2–11.6 V/m). The authors compare these levels to the Ramazzini Institute rat study at 1.8 GHz, noting a statistically significant increase in malignant heart schwannoma in male rats at 50 V/m and a non-statistically significant increase in malignant glial tumours in female rats at 50 V/m; they state that increased cancer risk for people working nearby for long periods cannot be excluded.

Outcomes measured

Environmental RF electric field levels (V/m) at Järntorget Square, Stockholm Old Town
Comparison to tumour incidence findings in Ramazzini Institute rat carcinogenicity study (malignant schwannoma of the heart; malignant glial tumours)

Limitations

Human health outcomes were not measured; this paper reports environmental measurements and compares them to an animal study.
Exposure duration for people near the square is not provided.
The comparison to the Ramazzini rat study is indirect (different setting and exposure conditions).
Journal name/date information in the abstract is inconsistent (mentions 2018 measurements and January–February 2019 issue).

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "exposure_assessment",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "base station",
    "frequency_mhz": 1800,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": null,
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Environmental RF electric field levels (V/m) at Järntorget Square, Stockholm Old Town",
    "Comparison to tumour incidence findings in Ramazzini Institute rat carcinogenicity study (malignant schwannoma of the heart; malignant glial tumours)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "A field spatial distribution measurement at Järntorget Square (Stockholm Old Town) reported a maximum E-field of 11.6 V/m and mean 5.2 V/m (median 5.0 V/m; range 1.2–11.6 V/m). The authors compare these levels to the Ramazzini Institute rat study at 1.8 GHz, noting a statistically significant increase in malignant heart schwannoma in male rats at 50 V/m and a non-statistically significant increase in malignant glial tumours in female rats at 50 V/m; they state that increased cancer risk for people working nearby for long periods cannot be excluded.",
  "effect_direction": "unclear",
  "limitations": [
    "Human health outcomes were not measured; this paper reports environmental measurements and compares them to an animal study.",
    "Exposure duration for people near the square is not provided.",
    "The comparison to the Ramazzini rat study is indirect (different setting and exposure conditions).",
    "Journal name/date information in the abstract is inconsistent (mentions 2018 measurements and January–February 2019 issue)."
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "unknown",
  "keywords": [
    "radiofrequency radiation",
    "environmental exposure",
    "EME Spy",
    "broadband analyser",
    "electric field",
    "V/m",
    "Stockholm Old Town",
    "Järntorget",
    "1.8 GHz",
    "GSM",
    "base station",
    "Ramazzini Institute",
    "malignant schwannoma",
    "glial tumours",
    "IARC Group 2B"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.55,
      "reason": "Mentions potential risk for those working in proximity for longer time periods."
    }
  ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.3892/wasj.2018.5
PubMed: Not supplied

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