Occupational exposure to radio frequency/microwave radiation and the risk of brain tumors: Interphone Study Group, Germany

Am J Epidemiol. 2006 Sep 15;164(6):538-48. doi: 10.1093/aje/kwj247. Epub 2006 Jul 27.

Abstract

It is still under debate whether occupational exposure to radio frequency/microwave electromagnetic fields (RF/MW-EMF) contributes to the development of brain tumors. This analysis examined the role of occupational RF/MW-EMF exposure in the risk of glioma and meningioma. A population-based, case-control study including 381 meningioma cases, 366 glioma cases, and 1,494 controls aged 30-69 years was performed in three German regions in 2000-2003. An exposure matrix for occupational activity was constructed by using information on RF/MW-EMF exposure collected in a computer-assisted personal interview. "High" exposure was defined as an occupational exposure that may exceed the RF/MW-EMF exposure limits for the general public recommended by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection. Multiple conditional logistic regressions were performed separately for glioma and meningioma. No significant association between occupational exposure to RF/MW-EMF and brain tumors was found. For glioma, the adjusted odds ratio for highly exposed persons compared with persons not highly exposed was 1.21 (95% confidence interval: 0.69, 2.13); for meningioma, it was 1.34 (95% confidence interval: 0.64, 2.81). However, the slight increase in risk observed with increasing duration of exposure merits further research with larger sample sizes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Brain Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Brain Neoplasms / etiology*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic
  • Female
  • Germany / epidemiology
  • Glioma / epidemiology
  • Glioma / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Meningioma / epidemiology
  • Meningioma / etiology*
  • Microwaves / adverse effects*
  • Middle Aged
  • Occupational Exposure / adverse effects*
  • Radio Waves / adverse effects*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires