RF Safe

Exposure to radio-frequency electromagnetic fields from broadcast transmitters and risk of childhood cancer: a census-based cohort study

Am J Epidemiol · 2014 · Mixed · Moderate evidence

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MixedModerate evidencePaper 2735

In the time-to-event analysis (997 cancer cases), highest modeled exposure (>0.2 V/m) vs reference (<0.05 V/m) was not associated with all cancers (HR=1.03, 95% CI: 0.74–1.43) or leukemia (HR=0.55, 95% CI: 0.26–1.19); CNS tumors showed an elevated but impreci…

Study snapshot

PublicationAm J Epidemiol · 2014
Study typecohort
Reported directionMixed
Evidence ratingModerate

Abstract

We investigated the association between exposure to radio-frequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs) from broadcast transmitters and childhood cancer. First, we conducted a time-to-event analysis including children under age 16 years living in Switzerland on December 5, 2000. Follow-up lasted until December 31, 2008. Second, all children living in Switzerland for some time between 1985 and 2008 were included in an incidence density cohort. RF-EMF exposure from broadcast transmitters was modeled. Based on 997 cancer cases, adjusted hazard ratios in the time-to-event analysis for the highest exposure category (>0.2 V/m) as compared with the reference category (<0.05 V/m) were 1.03 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.74, 1.43) for all cancers, 0.55 (95% CI: 0.26, 1.19) for childhood leukemia, and 1.68 (95% CI: 0.98, 2.91) for childhood central nervous system (CNS) tumors. Results of the incidence density analysis, based on 4,246 cancer cases, were similar for all types of cancer and leukemia but did not indicate a CNS tumor risk (incidence rate ratio = 1.03, 95% CI: 0.73, 1.46). This large census-based cohort study did not suggest an association between predicted RF-EMF exposure from broadcasting and childhood leukemia. Results for CNS tumors were less consistent, but the most comprehensive analysis did not suggest an association.

Machine Enhanced Logic

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 typecohort
Effect directionmixed
PopulationChildren under age 16 years living in Switzerland (census-based cohort)
Sample sizeNot supplied
ExposureRF · Follow-up until December 31, 2008; incidence density cohort covered 1985–2008
Evidence strengthModerateConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In the time-to-event analysis (997 cancer cases), highest modeled exposure (>0.2 V/m) vs reference (<0.05 V/m) was not associated with all cancers (HR=1.03, 95% CI: 0.74–1.43) or leukemia (HR=0.55, 95% CI: 0.26–1.19); CNS tumors showed an elevated but imprecise estimate (HR=1.68, 95% CI: 0.98–2.91). In the incidence density analysis (4,246 cancer cases), results were similar for all cancers and leukemia and did not indicate increased CNS tumor risk (IRR=1.03, 95% CI: 0.73–1.46).

Outcomes measured

  • Childhood cancer (all cancers)
  • Childhood leukemia
  • Childhood central nervous system (CNS) tumors

Limitations

  • RF-EMF exposure was modeled/predicted rather than directly measured
  • CNS tumor results were described as less consistent across analyses
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "cohort",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "broadcast transmitters",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "Follow-up until December 31, 2008; incidence density cohort covered 1985–2008"
  },
  "population": "Children under age 16 years living in Switzerland (census-based cohort)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Childhood cancer (all cancers)",
    "Childhood leukemia",
    "Childhood central nervous system (CNS) tumors"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In the time-to-event analysis (997 cancer cases), highest modeled exposure (>0.2 V/m) vs reference (<0.05 V/m) was not associated with all cancers (HR=1.03, 95% CI: 0.74–1.43) or leukemia (HR=0.55, 95% CI: 0.26–1.19); CNS tumors showed an elevated but imprecise estimate (HR=1.68, 95% CI: 0.98–2.91). In the incidence density analysis (4,246 cancer cases), results were similar for all cancers and leukemia and did not indicate increased CNS tumor risk (IRR=1.03, 95% CI: 0.73–1.46).",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "RF-EMF exposure was modeled/predicted rather than directly measured",
    "CNS tumor results were described as less consistent across analyses"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "moderate",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "radio-frequency electromagnetic fields",
    "RF-EMF",
    "broadcast transmitters",
    "childhood cancer",
    "leukemia",
    "CNS tumors",
    "Switzerland",
    "census-based cohort",
    "hazard ratio",
    "incidence rate ratio"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "broadcast-transmitters",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Exposure source is RF-EMF from broadcast transmitters."
    }
  ]
}
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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: 10.1093/aje/kwt442
PubMed: 24651167

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