Case-control study on occupational exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields and glioma risk.


Author: Carlberg M1, Koppel T2, Ahonen M3, Hardell L1

Affiliation: <sup>1</sup>Faculty of Medicine and Health, Department of Oncology, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden.

<sup>2</sup>Department of Labour Environment and Safety, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia.

<sup>3</sup>Department of Information Technology and Media, Mid Sweden University, Sundsvall, Sweden.
Conference/Journal: Am J Ind Med.
Date published: 2017 Apr 10
Other:
  Special Notes: doi: 10.1002/ajim.22707. [Epub ahead of print]   ,  Word Count: 153  
    BACKGROUND: Exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) was in 2002 classified as a possible human carcinogen, Group 2B, by the International Agency for Research on Cancer at WHO.



METHODS: Life time occupations were assessed in case-control studies during 1997-2003 and 2007-2009. An ELF-EMF Job-Exposure Matrix was used for associating occupations with ELF exposure (μT). Cumulative exposure (μT-years), average exposure (μT), and maximum exposed job (μT) were calculated.



RESULTS: Cumulative exposure gave for astrocytoma grade IV (glioblastoma multiforme) in the time window 1-14 years odds ratio (OR) = 1.9, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.4-2.6, p linear trend <0.001, and in the time window 15+ years OR = 0.9, 95%CI = 0.6-1.3, p linear trend = 0.44 in the highest exposure categories 2.75+ and 6.59+ μT years, respectively.



CONCLUSION: An increased risk in late stage (promotion/progression) of astrocytoma grade IV for occupational ELF-EMF exposure was found.



© 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.



KEYWORDS: ELF-EMF; RF-EMF; astrocytoma; electromagnetic fields; glioma; occupational exposure; risk factors; wireless phones



PMID: 28394434  DOI: 10.1002/ajim.22707