Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Review of epidemiological studies

  • Chapter
Mobile Communications Safety

Part of the book series: Telecommunications Technology & Applications Series ((TTAP))

Abstract

The increasingly widespread use of cellular phones, and the general proliferation of radiofrequency (RF) or microwave equipment in modern telecommunications, have generated an increasing interest in possible adverse health consequences of the ensuing exposure to RF fields. Epidemiological studies offer — in principle — powerful tools for evaluating the impact on humans of occupational or environmental exposures. In a recent ‘opinion piece’, Goldsmith (1995) summarized that he ‘presents evidence that sufficient microwave exposures are associated with all four of these outcomes . . . ’, one outcome being cancer. A WHO report (1993), on the other hand, concluded that ‘epidemiological . . . studies do not provide clear evidence of detrimental health effects in humans from exposure to RF fields’. It thus appears prudent to review epidemiological studies of RF exposures, with particular emphasis on studies relevant to mobile telecommunication situations.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Albert, E. N. and Sherif, M. F. (1982) Interactions of nonionizing radiation with the nervous system, in Biomedical Thermology, Alan R Liss, New York, pp. 219–225.

    Google Scholar 

  • Allen, S. G., Blackwell, R. P., Chadwick, P. J. et al. (1994) Review of Occupational Exposure to Optical Radiation and Electric and Magnetic Fields with Regard to the Proposed CEC Physical Agents Directive. NRPB R265. National Radiological Protection Board, Didcot, UK.

    Google Scholar 

  • Appleton, B., Hirsch, S., Kinion, R. O. et al. (1975) Microwave lens effects in humans. Archives of Ophthalmology, 93, 257–258.

    Google Scholar 

  • Armstrong, B., Thériault, G., Guénel, P. et al. (1994) Association between Exposure to Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields and Cancer in Electric Utility Workers in Quebec, Canada, and Prance. American Journal of Epidemiology, 140, 805–820.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bini, M., Checcucci, A., Ignesti, A. et al. (1986) Exposure of workers to intense RF electric fields that leak from plastic sealers. Journal of Microwave Power, 33–40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cleary, S. F., Pasternack, B., and Beebe, G. W. (1965) Cataract incidence in radar workers. Archives of Environmental Health, 11, 179–182.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cleary, S. F. and Pasternack, B. S. (1966) Lenticular changes in microwave workers. Archives of Environmental Health, 12, 23–29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Czerski, P., Siekierzynski, M., and Gidynski, A. (1974) Health surveillance of personnel occupationally exposed to microwaves. I. Theoretical considerations and practical aspects. Aerospace Medicine, 45, 1137–1142.

    Google Scholar 

  • Duchéne, A. S., Lakey, J. R. A., and Repacholi, M. H. (1990) IRPA Guidelines on Protection Against Non-Ionizing Radiation, Pergamon Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Frey, A. H. (1985) Data analysis reveals significant microwave-induced eye damage in humans. Journal of Microwave Power, 20, 53–55.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goldsmith, J. R. (1995) Epidemiologic evidence of radio frequency radiation (microwave) effects on health in military, broadcasting, and occupational studies. International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health, 1, 47–57.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hamburger, S., Logue, J. N., and Silverman, P. M. (1983) Occupational exposure to non-ionizing radiation and an association with heart disease: an exploratory study. Journal of Chronic Diseases, 36, 791–802.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hill, A. B. (1965) The environment and disease: Association or causation? Proceedings of the Royal Society of Medicine, 58, 295–300.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hollows, F. C. and Douglas, J. B. (1984) Microwave cataracts in radiolinemen and controls. Lancet, Aug 18, 406.

    Google Scholar 

  • IARC (1991) IARC monograph programme on the evaluation of carcinogenic risks to humans, in IARC Monographs on the evaluation of carcinogenic risks to humans. Volume 52. Chlorinated drinking-water; chlorination by-products; some other halo-genated compounds; cobalt and cobalt compounds, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, pp 15–36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, C. C. and Spitz, M. R. (1985) Neuroblastoma: case-control analysis of birth characteristics. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 74, 789–792.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kolmodin-Hedman, B., Mild, K. H. et al. (1988) Health problems among operators of plastic welding machines and exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields. International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, 60, 243–247.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Källén, B., Malmquist, G., and Moritz, U. (1982) Delivery outcome among physiotherapists in Sweden: Is non-ionizing radiation a fetal hazard? Archives of Environmental Health, 37, 81–84.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lancranjan, I., Maicanescu, M., Rafaila, E. et al. (1975) Gonadic function in workmen with long-term exposure to microwaves. Health Physics, 29, 381–383.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Larsen, A. I., Olsen, J., and Svane, O. (1991) Gender-specific reproductive outcome and exposure to high-frequency electromagnetic radiation among physiotherapists. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health, 17, 324–329.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lester, J. R. and Moore, D. F. (1982) Cancer mortality and air force bases. Journal of Bioelectricity, 1, 77–82.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lilienfield, A. M., Tonascia, J., Tonascia, S. et al. (1978) Foreign service health status study — evaluation of health status of foreign service and other employees from selected eastern European posts. Final report. NTIS PB-288 163. Department of State, Washington DC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lin, R. S., Dischinger, P. C, Conde, J. et al. (1985) Occupational exposure to electromagnetic fields and the occurrence of brain tumours. Journal of Occupational Medicine, 27, 413–419.

    Google Scholar 

  • Majewska, K. (1968) Investigations on the effect of microwaves on the eye. Polish Medical Journal, 7, 989–994.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maskarinec, G. and Cooper, J. (1993) Investigation of a childhood leukaemia cluster near low-frequency radio towers in Hawaii. American Journal of Epidemiology, 138, 666.

    Google Scholar 

  • Michaelson, S. M. (1982) Health implications of exposure to radiofrequency/microwave energies. British Journal of Industrial Medicine, 39, 105–119.

    Google Scholar 

  • Milham, S. (1985) Mortality in workers exposed to electromagnetic fields. Environmental Health Perspective, 62, 297–300.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Milham, S. (1988) Increased mortality in amateur radio operators due to lymphatic and hematopoietic malignancies. American Journal of Epidemiology, 127, 50–54.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nilsson, R., Hamnerius, Y., Mild, K. H. et al. (1989) Microwave effects on the central nervous system — a study of radar mechanics. Health Physics, 56, 777–779.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Odland, L. T., Penikas, V. T., and Graham, R. B. (1973) Radio-frequency energy: a hazard to workers? Industrial Medicine & Surgery, July/August, 23–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ouellet-Hellstrom, R. and Stewart, W. F. (1993) Miscarriages among female physical therapists who report using radio- and microwave-frequency electromagnetic radiation. American Journal of Epidemiology, 138, 775–786.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roberts, N. J. and Michaelson, S. M. (1985) Epidemiological studies of human exposures to radiofrequency radiation. International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, 56, 169–178.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robinette, C. D., Silverman, C, and Jablon, S. (1980) Effects upon health of occupational exposure to microwave radiation (radar) American Journal of Epidemiology, 112, 39–53.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rothman, K. (1986) Modern Epidemiology, Little, Brown and Company, Boston.

    Google Scholar 

  • Selvin, S., Schulman, J., and Merrill, D. W. (1992) Distance and risk measures for the analysis of spatial data: a study of childhood cancers. Social Science in Medicine, 34, 769–777.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shacklett, D. E., Tredici, T. J., and Epstein, D. L. (1975) Evaluation of possible microwave-induced lens changes in the United States air force. Aviation, Space and Environmental Medicine, 46, 1403–1406.

    Google Scholar 

  • Siekierzynski, M., Czerski, P., Gidynski, A. et al. (1974a) Health surveillance of personnel occupationally exposed to microwaves. III. Lens translucency. Aerospace Medicine, 45, 1146–1148.

    Google Scholar 

  • Siekierzynski, M., Czerski, P., Milczarek, H. et al. (1974b) Health surveillance of personnel occupationally exposed to microwaves. II. Functional disturbances. Aerospace Medicine, 45, 1143–1145.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sigler, A. T., Lilienfield, A. M., Cohen, B. H., and Westlake, J. E. (1965) Radiation exposure in parents of children with mongolism (Down’s Syndrome). Bulletin, Johns Hopkins Hospital, 117, 374–399.

    Google Scholar 

  • Skotte, J. (1986) Reduction of radiofrequency exposure to the operator during shortwave diathermy treatments. Journal of Medical Engineering & Technology, 10, 7–10.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spitz, M. R. and Johnson, C. C. (1985) Neuroblastoma and paternal occupation. A case-control analysis. American Journal of Epidemiology, 121, 924–929.

    Google Scholar 

  • Szmigielski, S. Cancer morbidity in subjects occupationally exposed to high frequency (radiofrequency and microwave) electromagnetic radiation. Science of the Total Environment (in press).

    Google Scholar 

  • WHO (1993) Electromagnetic Fields (300 Hz to 300 GHz). Environmental Health Criteria 137. World Health Organization, Geneva.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wike, E. L. and Martin, E. J. (1985) Comments on Prey’s ‘Data analysis reveals significant microwave-induced eye damage in humans’. Journal of Microwave Power, 20, 181–184.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. Ulf Bergqvist
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Zurich, Switzerland

    Niels Kuster

  2. Motorola Inc., Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, USA

    Quirino Balzano

  3. University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA

    James C. Lin

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1997 Chapman & Hall

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Bergqvist, U. (1997). Review of epidemiological studies. In: Kuster, N., Balzano, Q., Lin, J.C. (eds) Mobile Communications Safety. Telecommunications Technology & Applications Series. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-1205-5_6

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-1205-5_6

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4612-8511-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4613-1205-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation