Radiation Protection

EMR Literature Survey - October 2008

FEATURE ARTICLE:
Extremely low frequency (ELF) electric and magnetic field exposure limits: rationale for basic restrictions used in the development of an Australian standard

By: Wood A
Published in: Bioelectromagnetics 2008 Sep;29(6):414-28

Summary

The author describes the rationale used for the derivation of the basic restrictions in the development of an Australian standard for exposure to extremely low frequency electric and magnetic fields (0 – 3 kHz).

PUBMED LINK


Exposure to electromagnetic fields and the risk of childhood leukaemia: a review

By: Schüz J and Ahlbom A
Published in: Radiat Prot Dosimetry. 2008 Oct 16. [Epub ahead of print]

Summary

The authors review the evidence on exposure to extremely low frequency (ELF) and radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields and the risk of childhood leukaemia. They conclude that ELF magnetic fields have been classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans, mainly based on epidemiological studies consistently showing an association between long-term average exposures to magnetic fields above 0.3/0.4 T and the risk of childhood leukaemia. However the authors point out that chance or bias cannot be ruled out as possible explanations and a biological mechanism has not been established from experimental studies. For RF there are some early reports of childhood leukaemia clusters in the vicinity of radio and television broadcast transmitters however recent large-scale studies have not supported the earlier findings. The authors also point out that there is a gap in the knowledge regarding mobile phone use and leukaemia risk in adolescents and young adults.

PUBMED LINK


Childhood leukemia in relation to radio frequency electromagnetic fields in the vicinity of TV and radio broadcast transmitters

By: Merzenich H et al
Published in: Am J Epidemiol. 2008 Oct 3. [Epub ahead of print]

Summary

This is a case-control study of exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs) in the vicinity of TV and radio broadcast transmitters and childhood leukaemia in West Germany. Analysis in the study included 1,959 cases and 5,848 controls (aged 0-14 years). Exposure to RF-EMFs for each subject was estimated with a field strength prediction program. The authors report no elevated risks of childhood leukaemia associated with RF-EMFs.

PUBMED LINK


INTERPHONE study – Results update October 2008

By: INTERPHONE study group
Published in: IARC website

Summary

Update on INTERPHONE results that have been published to date.

The INTERPHONE results update is available at:
http://www.iarc.fr/en/research-groups/RAD/Interphone8oct08.pdf


The controversy about a possible relationship between mobile phone use and cancer

By: Kundi M
Published in: Environmental Health Perspectives in press

Summary

The author reviews 33 epidemiological studies of mobile phone use and cancer. He concludes that the overall evidence points towards an increased risk, although its magnitude cannot be assessed at present due to insufficient information on long-term use. Methodological issues such as selection bias and misclassification are also discussed.

This paper is available at: http://www.ehponline.org/members/2008/11902/11902.pdf


Exposure assessment and other challenges in non-ionising radiation studies of childhood leukaemia

By: Kheifets L and Oksuzyan S
Published in: Radiat Prot Dosimetry. 2008 Oct 21. [Epub ahead of print]

Summary

The authors describe the methodological difficulties in epidemiological studies of exposure to electromagnetic fields and childhood leukaemia focusing particularly on exposure assessment. The authors highlight several areas where further research is needed.

PUBMED LINK

Top of Page