Mobile telecommunications and health: report of an investigation into an alleged cancer cluster in Sandwell, West Midlands

Stewart, Antony; Rao, Jammi N; Middleton, John; Pearmain, Philippa; Evans, Tim

doi:10.1177/1757913911427375

Cited by 10 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…Cancer incidence and mortality data were investigated after an alleged cancer cluster in West Midlands, UK following the installation of a mobile phone base station (25). A total of 19 persons had developed cancer, but did not fulfil criteria for cancer cluster, standardized mortality rates (SMR) for all cancer excluding non-melanoma skin cancers was for all persons 1.27, and 95% confidence interval (CI) =1.06-1.51 during 2001-2003. Environmental exposure to RF radiation and the risk of malignant lymphoma was investigated in a case-control study in Sardinia, Italy (26).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Hardell

Carlberg

Hedendahl³

et al. 2018

wasj

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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.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Hardell

Carlberg

Hedendahl³

et al. 2018

wasj

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“…Moreover, many studies have reported associations between RF-EMF and brain tumors (Myung et al ., 2009; Swerdlow et al ., 2011; Repacholi et al ., 2012). In contrast, there are some studies claiming no association between brain cancer and cell phone usage (Benson et al ., 2013) or due to nearby cellular base stations (Stewart et al ., 2012). Another study showed that there was also no association between cancer and infants’ risk of exposure to cellular base stations during pregnancy (Elliott et al ., 2010).…”

Section: Effects Of Emf On Cancermentioning

confidence: 99%

Possible Effects of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Field Exposure on Central Nerve System

Kim

Lee

Kim

et al. 2019

Biomolecules & Therapeutics

151

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Technological advances of mankind, through the development of electrical and communication technologies, have resulted in the exposure to artificial electromagnetic fields (EMF). Technological growth is expected to continue; as such, the amount of EMF exposure will continue to increase steadily. In particular, the use-time of smart phones, that have become a necessity for modern people, is steadily increasing. Social concerns and interest in the impact on the cranial nervous system are increased when considering the area where the mobile phone is used. However, before discussing possible effects of radiofrequency-electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) on the human body, several factors must be investigated about the influence of EMFs at the level of research using in vitro or animal models. Scientific studies on the mechanism of biological effects are also required. It has been found that RF-EMF can induce changes in central nervous system nerve cells, including neuronal cell apoptosis, changes in the function of the nerve myelin and ion channels; furthermore, RF-EMF act as a stress source in living creatures. The possible biological effects of RF-EMF exposure have not yet been proven, and there are insufficient data on biological hazards to provide a clear answer to possible health risks. Therefore, it is necessary to study the biological response to RF-EMF in consideration of the comprehensive exposure with regard to the use of various devices by individuals. In this review, we summarize the possible biological effects of RF-EMF exposure.

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“…However, Mortazavi et al found no significantly higher prevalence of self-reported symptoms in individuals who had used mobile phones [ 11 ]. On the other hand, some recent studies were unable to show an association between cancer and mobile phone use [ 12 ] or living nearby mobile base stations [ 13 ]. There was also no association between risk of early childhood cancers and mother’s exposure to mobile phone base stations during pregnancy [ 14 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Looking at the other side of the coin: the search for possible biopositive cognitive effects of the exposure to 900 MHz GSM mobile phone radiofrequency radiation

Mortazavi

Tavakkoli-Golpayegani²,

Haghani

et al. 2014

J Environ Health Sci Engineer

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Although exposure to electromagnetic radiation in radiofrequency range has caused a great deal of concern globally, radiofrequency radiation has many critical applications in both telecommunication and non-communication fields. The induction of adaptive response phenomena by exposure to radiofrequency radiation as either increased resistance to a subsequent dose of ionizing radiation or resistance to a bacterial infection has been reported recently. Interestingly, the potential beneficial effects of mobile phone radiofrequency radiation are not only limited to the induction of adaptive phenomena. It has previously been indicated that the visual reaction time of university students significantly decreased after a 10 min exposure to radiofrequency radiation emitted by a mobile phone. Furthermore, it has been revealed that occupational exposures to radar radiations decreased the reaction time in radar workers. Based on these findings, it can be hypothesized that in special circumstances, these exposures might lead to a better response of humans to different hazards. Other investigators have also provided evidence that confirms the induction of RF-induced cognitive benefits. Furthermore, some recent reports have indicated that RF radiation may play a role in protecting against cognitive impairment in Alzheimer’s disease. In this light, a challenging issue will arise if there are other RF-induced stimulating effects. It is also challenging to explore the potential applications of these effects. Further research may shed light on dark areas of the health effects of short and long-term human exposure to radiofrequency radiation.

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Mobile telecommunications and health: report of an investigation into an alleged cancer cluster in Sandwell, West Midlands

Abstract: We cannot conclude that the base station was responsible for the cancers. It is unlikely that information around a single base station can either demonstrate or exclude causality.

Cited by 10 publications

References 4 publications

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

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

Possible Effects of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Field Exposure on Central Nerve System

Looking at the other side of the coin: the search for possible biopositive cognitive effects of the exposure to 900 MHz GSM mobile phone radiofrequency radiation

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