Carcinogenic risks in workers exposed to radiofrequency and microwave

radiation – search of threshold exposure levels.

S.Szmigielski, E.Sobiczewska and R. Kubacki,
Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Warsaw, Poland.

Abstract.

There exist single reports, published in peer-reviewed scientific journals, which indicate that
occupational exposures to radiofrequency (RF) and microwave (MW) radiations may be associated
with increased risks for cancer, notably heamatolymphatic and brain, in electronic, radar and radio
communication workers. In own study of cancer morbidity in Polish military personnel exposed to
RF/MW radiation (S. Szmigielski et al.: European J. Oncology, 2001,6 (2),193-199) we reported a
coherent pattern of dose-response, as expressed by higher cancer morbidity rates in subjects with
higher mean exposure levels (expressed in W/m2) (Table I).

Table I.
Cancer morbidity in Polish career military personnel exposed occupationally to RF and MW radiation
- a 5- year analysis (1985 - 1990).

EXPOSURE LEVELS AND MORBIDITY RATE IN PROSPECTIVE STUDY (1985 - 1990).

OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO RF/MW RADIATION

Year of Percent of career personnel AVERAGE EXPOSURE LEVELS (W/m2)

analysis considered as exposed to for 2 – 4 hours during working shift
RF/MW (% of personnel with exposure)

1-2 2-6 6 - 10 > 10

1985 3.18% 48.2 36.6 7.9 7.3

1990 3.94% 47.3 38.1 8.3 6.3

MEAN 3.6% = 3 860 ± 770 47.8 37.3 8.0 7.1

CANCER MORBIDITY 1985 - 1990

Total number of personnel 1900 1320 350 280

Number of neoplasms (N = 36) 14 9 7 6

(38.9%) (25.0%) (19.4%) (16.7%)

Morbidity rate 146.9 135.8 401.4 427.0

(per 100 000 per year)

On base of these data we conclude that workers exposed to mean power densities exceeding 6 W/m2
may be considered as those being at higher risk of developing certain forms of neoplasms (OR > 4.0).
Workers exposed at lower power densities (1-2 and 2-6 W/m2, respectively), showed a non-significant
increase of cancer morbidity (OR 1.35 – 1.47), which requires confirmation on larger material.
Monitoring of the RF/MW exposure during whole work shift revealed that the exposures appear to be
transient, lasting few-several minutes, followed by long periods with low or very low exposures.
However, the transient exposure periods, which count for a total of 2 – 4 hr during a 12-hr shift, are
composed of variable intensities with incidental exposures at high levels (80 – 150 W/m2, depending
on type of work). Therefore, for evaluation of possible cancer risks, the exposure of workers should be
expressed as a daily and cumulative (e.g. life) dose and not the average exposure level during the shift.
E.g., for the average exposure level of 6 W/m2, the individual daily dose was calculated for 15 - 20
Wxh/m2 and the individual life exposure doses (which include type and period of occupation at the
RF/MW environment) ranged 30 000 – 60 000 Wxh/m 2. In workers (e.g. radar technicians, RF/MW
metrologists) who are exposed to RF/MW intensities exceeding the above thresholds we noted
recently few cases of neoplasms, similar reports are available from other research centers. E.g. Richter
E.D. described six young patients with different cancers which developed following high-level
exposure to radar radiation (mean exposure 75 W/m2, life exposure dosis 470 000 Wxh/m2 (Richter
E.D. et al.: Intern. J. Occupational and Environmental Health, 2000, 75, 187-193).

Conclusions: On base of own epidemiologic study and review of the literature on possible cancer
risks in workers exposed to RF/MW radiation, we conclude that the existing casuistic reports of
various neoplasms in radar personnel and the single own epidemiologic study do not provide enough
evidence for final conclusions on the risks and/or on thresholds for such risks. Nevertheless, a
coherent pattern of data on development of various types of neoplasms, notably haematopoietic and
brain, in small groups of workers who are exposed to high intensities of RF/MW fields (e.g. radar
technicians who tune and repair generators, metrologists who measure strong fields close to antennas,
mobile phone technicians, etc.) strongly indicates a need for cumulation of the existing data from
various countries ,as well as for extension of the studies. Reevaluation of own data from 1985-1990
epidemiologic study of Polish military personnel indicates that the thresholds for increased risk of
cancer in RF/MW-exposed workers may be anticipated at exposures exceeding average power
densities of 6 W/m2 and life exposure doses of 30 000 – 60 000 Wxh/m2. It remains still an open
question whether or not the reported cases of neoplasms in workers and residents exposed to RF/MW
field intensities which were below the above postulated thresholds can be linked to the influence of the
EMF environment.