Identification of Research Needs Relating to Potential Biological or Adverse Health Effects of Wireless Communication Devices (2008) / Chapter Skim
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Epidemiology
Epidemiology
Pages 19-26
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From page 19... ...
In particular, epidemiologic studies permit for associations between an environmental exposure, under actual rather than artificial conditions, and a health outcome to be evaluated in human populations. Moreover, because epidemiologic research is conducted in natural settings, the joint influence of multiple factors on disease occurrence can be studied, while taking into account an individual's susceptibility.
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From page 20... ...
Cancer Effects Recent concerns about possible health effects of exposure to RF radiation from cellular phones have centered on brain cancer (Krewski 2007) , and a series of epidemiologic studies looking at the association between cellular phone use and malignant and benign brain tumors, as well as salivary gland tumors, have been published since 1999 (Johansen et al.
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From page 21... ...
In the simulation study based on different assumptions about random and systematic errors using preliminary data of a study on short-term recall of mobile phone use among healthy volunteers, sensitivity analyses indicated that random errors in recall were likely to outweigh plausible systematic errors in recall that can lead to a large under-estimation, if there is a true risk, in the risk of brain cancer associated with use of wireless communication devices (Vrijheid et al.
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From page 22... ...
, and an updated survey of RF intensities would be useful background for future epidemiologic studies. Measurements of the differences in the exposures generated by the use of cell phones and other wireless systems will be of value in determining if there are any health effects resulting from exposures to low levels and/or intermittent sources of RF radiation.
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From page 23... ...
and higher absorption of RF energy at frequencies utilized in wireless communications devices and greater RF penetration relative to head size. Finally, the current generation of children will experience a longer period of exposure to RF fields from mobile phone use than adults since they started using mobile phones at an early age and are likely to continue to use them.
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From page 24... ...
Brain cancer is an important endpoint to study but is rare in children and so a cohort study is unlikely to be feasible. There is at present a lack of information concerning the health effects associated with living in close proximity to base stations.
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From page 25... ...
Among the particular findings in need of follow-up are uveal cancer, leukemia, lung, breast, testicular cancers, and sperm quality. If feasible, epidemiologic studies could focus on the health effects of potential RF exposures at high levels that might occur in a few workplace tasks (e.g., antenna construction and maintenance)
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From page 26... ...
.������������� There is at present a lack of information concerning the health effects associated with living in close proximity to base stations���������������������������������� . Epidemiologic studies of mobile phone base stations present unique challenges that need to be addressed to make such studies rigorous.�
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