DANNY WOLF MD2
From:
The Dermatology Unit, Kaplan Medical Center, Rechovot, and the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, ISRAEL. The Pediatric Outpatient Clinic, Hasharon Region, Kupat Holim, ISRAEL.
Running title: Cancer near a cell-phone transmitter station
Address for correspondence: Ronni Wolf, MD, Dermatology Unit, Kaplan Medical Center, Rechovot 76100, ISRAEL.
Fax 972-9-9560978. E-mail: wolf_r@netvision.net.il
International Journal of Cancer Prevention
VOLUME 1, NUMBER 2, APRIL 2004
Increased Incidence of Cancer near a Cell-Phone Transmitter Station
by Ronni Wolf and Danny Wolf -
Abstract
Significant concern has been raised about possible health effects from
exposure to radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields, especially after
the rapid introduction of mobile telecommunications systems. Parents are
especially concerned with the possibility that children might develop
cancer after exposure to the RF emissions from mobile telephone base
stations erected in or near schools. The few epidemiologic studies that
did report on cancer incidence in relation to RF radiation have
generally presented negative or inconsistent results, and thus emphasize
the need for more studies that should investigate cohorts with high RF
exposure for changes in cancer incidence. The aim of this study is to
investigate whether there is an increased cancer incidence in
populations, living in a small area, and exposed to RF radiation from a
cell-phone transmitter station.
This is an epidemiologic assessment, to determine whether the incidence
of cancer cases among individuals exposed to a cell-phone transmitter
station is different from that expected in Israel, in Netanya, or as
compared to people who lived in a nearby area. Participants are people
(n=622) living in the area near a cell-phone transmitter station for 3-7
years who were patients of one health clinic (of DW). The exposure began
1 year before the start of the study when the station first came into
service. A second cohort of individuals (n=1222) who get their medical
services in a clinic located nearby with very closely matched,
environment, workplace and occupational characteristics was used for
comparison.
In the area of exposure (area A) eight cases of different kinds of
cancer were diagnosed in a period of only one year. This rate of cancers
was compared both with the rate of 31 cases per 10,000 per year in the
general population and the 2/1222 rate recorded in the nearby clinic
(area B).
Relative cancer rates for females were 10.5 for area A, 0.6 for area B
and 1 for the whole town of Netanya. Cancer incidence of women in area A
was thus significantly higher (p<0.0001) compared with that of area B
and the whole city. A comparison of the relative risk revealed that
there were 4.15 times more cases in area A than in the entire
population.
The study indicates an association between increased incidence of cancer
and living in proximity to a cell-phone transmitter station.
Key Words:
Radiofrequency radiation; Cell-phone transmitter station (cell-phone
antenna); Cancer incidence study; Netanya.
http://www.powerwatch.org.uk/news/20050207_israel.pdf