Residential exposure to ultra high frequency electromagnetic fields emitted by Global System for Mobile (GSM) antennas and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis incidence: A geo-epidemiological population-based study.

Environmental research · 2019 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 5581

Study snapshot

PublicationEnvironmental research · 2019

Study typeecological

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease of unknown etiology. Mobile communication antennas have increased over the last few decades. Consequently, there has been a steady increase in environmental exposure to ultra high frequency electromagnetic fields (UHF-EMFs) emitted by Global System for Mobile (GSM) communication antennas, which raises concerns about possible health risks in the general population. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between residential exposure to UHF-EMFs generated by GSM antennas and the risk of ALS in general population. A geo-epidemiological population-based study was performed in Limousin (France). ALS incident cases were identified through a register (FRALim, 2000-2012 period). A model to estimate UHF-EMF exposure was developed based on the distance and the power of GSM antennas. Exposure to multiple emissions from multiple directions was considered. A non-cumulative and a cumulative model were established. A geographic information system integrated the raster model of exposure, and the residential distribution of observed and expected cases. A generalized linear model was performed to test the association. Overall, 312 ALS cases were included. We estimated exposures below 1.72 V/m in urban areas and below 1.23 V/m in rural areas for 90% of the population. A gradient effect between UHF-EMF exposure and ALS incidence was apparent with a statistically significant trend. A significant increased risk of ALS was observed between the non-exposure category and the highest exposure category, with a relative risk of 1.78 (95% CI: 1.28-2.48) in the non-cumulative model and 1.83 (95% CI: 1.32-2.54) in the cumulative model. Our results suggest a possible association between residential UHF-EMF exposure and ALS. Ecological studies are a means of generating hypotheses. Further studies are needed to clarify the potential role of EMFs on neurodegeneration.

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 typeecological

Effect directionharm

PopulationGeneral population in Limousin, France (ALS cases from FRALim register)

Sample size312

ExposureUHF · Residential exposure estimated for 2000–2012 (non-cumulative and cumulative models)

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In a geo-epidemiological population-based analysis in Limousin (France) using modeled residential UHF-EMF exposure from GSM antennas, a statistically significant exposure–response trend with ALS incidence was reported. Compared with the non-exposure category, the highest exposure category showed increased ALS risk (RR 1.78, 95% CI 1.28–2.48 in the non-cumulative model; RR 1.83, 95% CI 1.32–2.54 in the cumulative model).

Outcomes measured

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) incidence

Limitations

Exposure was modeled (based on antenna distance and power) rather than directly measured.
Study described as ecological/hypothesis-generating in the abstract.
Potential confounding and individual-level risk factors are not described in the abstract.

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "ecological",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "UHF",
    "source": "GSM antennas (mobile communication base stations)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "Residential exposure estimated for 2000–2012 (non-cumulative and cumulative models)"
  },
  "population": "General population in Limousin, France (ALS cases from FRALim register)",
  "sample_size": 312,
  "outcomes": [
    "Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) incidence"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In a geo-epidemiological population-based analysis in Limousin (France) using modeled residential UHF-EMF exposure from GSM antennas, a statistically significant exposure–response trend with ALS incidence was reported. Compared with the non-exposure category, the highest exposure category showed increased ALS risk (RR 1.78, 95% CI 1.28–2.48 in the non-cumulative model; RR 1.83, 95% CI 1.32–2.54 in the cumulative model).",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Exposure was modeled (based on antenna distance and power) rather than directly measured.",
    "Study described as ecological/hypothesis-generating in the abstract.",
    "Potential confounding and individual-level risk factors are not described in the abstract."
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "amyotrophic lateral sclerosis",
    "ALS",
    "UHF-EMF",
    "ultra high frequency",
    "GSM",
    "mobile communication antennas",
    "base stations",
    "residential exposure",
    "geo-epidemiological",
    "France",
    "incidence",
    "generalized linear model",
    "GIS"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "who-icnirp",
      "weight": 0.35,
      "reason": "Addresses health outcomes from residential RF exposure relevant to guideline-setting discussions."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.108525
PubMed: 31226626

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