Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Urbanization Parameters as Moderators of the Background Radiation-Leukemia Connection

Comparison with single variable and multifactor models

  • Chapter
Etiology of Cancer in Man

Part of the book series: Cancer Growth and Progression ((CAGP,volume 6))

  • 59 Accesses

Abstract

Any associations between leukemia incidence or mortality (“LK” in what follows) and environmental factors, such as background radiation and a number of others, let alone psychological ones, have generally been reported as weak or inconsistent. There are positive relationships (e.g. 15, 46, 47, 56) but do not always replicate (17). On the other hand, paradoxical “negative” ones are found, along with counterintuitive dose-response functions, relationships that are limited to certain “windows” of the intensity or other dimensions, and other complexities which contradict seemingly plausible expectations (8, 11, 30, 31, 41, 49). For example, no relationship emerged between normal background radiation and LK in four populations (22), since even the negative trend — averaged by us as -0.105 — was unreliable. That outcome suggested to the investigators that current U.S. radiation protection laws are sufficiently conservative. Comparable difficulties have been noted in other environmental contexts (10, 16, 33, 35). The debate continues.

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 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
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

  1. Ader R: Psychosomatic and psychoimmunologic research. Psychosomatic Medicine 42:307, 1980

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Adey W.R: The energy around us. The Sciences (New York Academy of Sciences), Jan/Feb 1986, 53, 1986

    Google Scholar 

  3. Alvarez R: Radiation exposure limits. Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, November, 58, 1980

    Google Scholar 

  4. Archer VE: Geomagnetism, cancer, weather and cosmic radiation. Health Physics 34:237, 1978

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Archer VE: Effects of low-level radiation: a critical review. Nuclear Safety 21:68, 1980

    Google Scholar 

  6. Bahnson CB, Bahnson M: Stress and cancer: the state of the art. Part 1, Psychosomatics 21:975, 1980

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Bahnson CB, Bahnson M: Stress and cancer: the state of the art. Part 2 do., 22:207, 1981

    Google Scholar 

  8. Bartussek D: Eine Methode zur Bestimmung von Moderatoreffekten. Diagnostica 16:57, 1970

    Google Scholar 

  9. Becker RO, Seiden G: Electromagnetism and the Foundation of Life. W. Morrow and Co., New York, 1985

    Google Scholar 

  10. Biener W: Elementare Bedeutung der Quantenbiologie für den submolekularen Bereich der Medizin. Krebsgeschehen 16:3, 1984

    Google Scholar 

  11. Blot W.J, Brinton L.A, Fraumeni Jr, JF, et al.: Cancer mortality in U.S. counties with petroleum industries. Science 77:51, 1977

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Bond VP: The effects of high vs. low-level radiation exposure. Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine 59:918, 1983

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Bross IDJ: A 1980 reassessment of the health hazards of low-level ionizing radiation. Invited Lecture Manuscript, Univ. of Heidelberg Cancer Center, Oct. 30, 1979

    Google Scholar 

  14. Burton AC: Cancer and altitude. Does intracellular pH regulate cell division? European Journal of Cancer 11:365, 1975

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Cairns J: The origin of human cancers. Nature 289:353, 1981

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Diamond EI, Schmerler H, Lilienfeld AM: The relationship of intrauterine radiation to subsequent mortality and development of leukemia in children. American Journal of Epidemiology 97:283, 1973

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Eckhoff ND, Shultis JK, Clack RW et al: Correlation of leukemia mortality rates with altitude in the United States. Health Physics 27:377, 1974

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Fulton JP, Cobb S, Preble L, Leone L, Forman E: Electrical wiring configurations and childhood leukemia in Rhode Island. American Journal of Epidemiology 111:292, 1980

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Halberg F: Biological rhythms, hormones, and aging. In Hormones in Development and Aging, A. Verandakis (ed.), Chapter 13. Spectrum Publications, New York, 1982

    Google Scholar 

  20. Hildebrandt G: Chronobiologische Aspekte der Physiotherapie. Zeitschrift für Physiotherapie, 31:173, 1979

    Google Scholar 

  21. Hrushesky WJM, Roemeling VR, Langevin TR: Ovarian cancer chemotherapy. Chronobiologia 12:252, 1985

    Google Scholar 

  22. Inaba Y, Yanai H, Takagi H, Yamamoto S: A study of the geographical pattern of cancer mortality for selected sites by means of factor analysis. Social Science and Medicine 15D:233, 1981

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Jacobson AP, Plato PA, Figerio NA: The role of natural radiations in human leukemogenesis. American Journal of Public Health 66:31, 1976

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Kenny DA: Correlation and Causality. Wiley Interscience, New York, 1979

    Google Scholar 

  25. Kochupillai N, Verma IC, Grewal MS, et al.: Down’s syndrome and related abnormalities in an area of high background radiation in coastal Kerala. Nature 262:60, 1976

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Krokowski E: Klinische Perspektiven, abgeleitet aus der quantenbiologischen Krebsforschung. Krebsgeschehen 16:118, 1984

    Google Scholar 

  27. Krokowski EH, Wendt HW: Season of operation and differential long-term progression: clinical, statistical, and psychological issues. In Cancer Growth and Progression, HE Kaiser (ed.), Dordrecht, Kluwer Academic Publishers, ch. 19, Vol II pp. 161–8, 1989

    Google Scholar 

  28. Lave LB, Seskin EP: Air pollution and human health. Science 169:723, 1970

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Levi F, Halberg F, Nesbit M, Haus E, Levine H: Chronooncology, in Neoplasms-Comparative Pathology of Growth in Animals, Plants, and Man, H.E. Kaiser (ed.) Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore, 1981

    Google Scholar 

  30. Liboff AR: Electromagnetic cellular interactions at low frequencies. International Journal of Biometeorology 29:182, 1985

    Google Scholar 

  31. Linus A, Gray JE, Orvis AL, Kyle RA, O’Fallon WM, Kurland LT: Low-dose radiation of leukemia. The New England Journal of Medicine 302:1101, 1980

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Linus A, Kyle RA, O’Fallon WM, et al.: A case-control study of occupational exposures and leukemia. International Journal of Epidemiology, 9:131, 1980

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Mason TJ, McCay FW: Cancer mortality by county: 1950–1974. DHEW Publication No. 74–615, Epidemiology Branch, NCI, NIH, Bethesda MD. 1974

    Google Scholar 

  34. Mason TJ, Miller RW: Cosmic radiation at high altitudes and U.S. cancer mortality. Radiation Research, 60:302, 1974

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. McMahon B: Geographical variation in leukemia mortality in the United States. USPHS, Public Health Reports, 72:39, 1957

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Nasca PC, Burnett WS, Greenwald P, et al.: Population density as an indicator of urban-rural differences in cancer incidence, upstate New York, 1968–1972. American Journal of Epidemiology, 112:362, 1980

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Nicholson WJ, (ed.): Management of assessed risk for carcinogens. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 363:1, 1981

    Google Scholar 

  38. Oakley DT: Natural radiation exposure in the United States. Publ. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Radiation Programs, Surveillance and Inspection Division, ORP/SID 72–1, 1974

    Google Scholar 

  39. Petoian IM, Filiushkin IV: Teoreticheskaia model’ radiatsionno-indutsirovannogo raka. (Theoretical model of radiation-induced cancer). Radiobiologiia, 24:481, 1984

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Pories WJ, Mansour EG, Strain WH: Trace elements that act to inhibit neoplastic growth. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 199:265, 1972

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Ridella S: Interaction between electromagnetic fields and biological systems: open problems in cell membrane modelling. International Journal of Biometeorology, 29:179, 1985

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Rinsky R: More on direct estimates of low-level radiation risks. Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine, 55:405, 1982

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Saunders DR: Moderator variables in prediction. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 16:209, 1956

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Schneiderman MA, Decoufle P, Brown CC: Thresholds for environmental cancer: biologic and statistical considerations. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 329:92, 1979

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Sklar LS, Anisman H: Stress and coping factors influence tumor growth. Science, 205:513, 1979

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Sternglass EJ, Bell S: Fallout and decline of scholastic aptitude scores. Paper (Abstract) American Psychological Association, 1979 National Convention, Sept. 3, 1979, Proceedings, American Psychological Association, Washington D.C., 1979

    Google Scholar 

  47. Stewart AM: Delayed effects of A-bomb radiation: a review of recent mortality rates and risk estimates for five-year survivors. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 36:80, 1982

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Stewart A, Kneale GW: Radiation dose effects in relation to obstetric X-rays and childhood cancers. Lancet, 1:1185, 1970

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Szekely JG, Perry KA, Petkau A: Simulated responses to lognormally distributed continuous low radiation doses. Health Physics, 45:699, 1983

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Tokuhata GK, Smith MW: History of Health studies around nuclear facilities: a methodological consideration. Environmental Research, 25:75, 1981

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Tomatis L: Trends in cancer epidemiology. Journal of Experimental and Clinical Cancer Research, 3:259, 1983

    Google Scholar 

  52. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Air and Water Programs. The National Air Monitoring Program: air quality and emission trends. Annual Reports, Vol. II. Washington D.C., 1973

    Google Scholar 

  53. Wattenberg LW: Inhibition of chemical carcinogenesis. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 60:11, 1978

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. Wendt HW: Atmospheric pollutants and reported seasonality in leukemia. Minnesota Academy of Science, 1981 Annual Meetings (Abstract)., 1981

    Google Scholar 

  55. Wendt HW, Krokowski EH: Enhanced DNA synthesis and other biological effects in low intensity magnetic fields: comment and extension to pathological processes. Manuscript Macalester College St. Paul MN; 1985

    Google Scholar 

  56. Wendt HW, Homyak PA, Krokowski E: Tumor surgery relative to “significant anniversaries” and breast cancer progression: psychoimmunological stress response, resynchronized circannual rhythm, or artefact? unpublished

    Google Scholar 

  57. Wertheimer N, Leeper E: Electrical wiring configurations and childhood cancer. American Journal of Epidemiology, 109:273, 1979

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  58. Zedeck S: Problems with the use of “moderator” variables. Psychological Bulletin, 76:295, 1971

    Article  Google Scholar 

  59. Zeeman EC: Catastrophe theory. Scientific American, 234:65, 1976

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. Hans W. Wendt
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Kristine A. Birdsey
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. National Institutes of Child Health & Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md., USA

    Arthur S. Levine

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1989 Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Wendt, H.W., Birdsey, K.A. (1989). Urbanization Parameters as Moderators of the Background Radiation-Leukemia Connection. In: Levine, A.S. (eds) Etiology of Cancer in Man. Cancer Growth and Progression, vol 6. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-2532-8_13

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-2532-8_13

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-7644-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-2532-8

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation