Biological effects from exposure to electromagnetic radiation emitted by cell tower base stations and other antenna arrays

2010 ◽  
Vol 18 (NA) ◽  
pp. 369-395 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Blake Levitt ◽  
Henry Lai

The siting of cellular phone base stations and other cellular infrastructure such as roof-mounted antenna arrays, especially in residential neighborhoods, is a contentious subject in land-use regulation. Local resistance from nearby residents and landowners is often based on fears of adverse health effects despite reassurances from telecommunications service providers that international exposure standards will be followed. Both anecdotal reports and some epidemiology studies have found headaches, skin rashes, sleep disturbances, depression, decreased libido, increased rates of suicide, concentration problems, dizziness, memory changes, increased risk of cancer, tremors, and other neurophysiological effects in populations near base stations. The objective of this paper is to review the existing studies of people living or working near cellular infrastructure and other pertinent studies that could apply to long-term, low-level radiofrequency radiation (RFR) exposures. While specific epidemiological research in this area is sparse and contradictory, and such exposures are difficult to quantify given the increasing background levels of RFR from myriad personal consumer products, some research does exist to warrant caution in infrastructure siting. Further epidemiology research that takes total ambient RFR exposures into consideration is warranted. Symptoms reported today may be classic microwave sickness, first described in 1978. Nonionizing electromagnetic fields are among the fastest growing forms of environmental pollution. Some extrapolations can be made from research other than epidemiology regarding biological effects from exposures at levels far below current exposure guidelines.

2013 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 247-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Wanigaratne ◽  
E Holowaty ◽  
H Jiang ◽  
TA Norwood ◽  
R Pietrusiak ◽  
...  

Introduction Evidence suggests that current levels of tritium emissions from CANDU reactors in Canada are not related to adverse health effects. However, these studies lack tritium-specific dose data and have small numbers of cases. The purpose of our study was to determine whether tritium emitted from a nuclear-generating station during routine operation is associated with risk of cancer in Pickering, Ontario. Methods A retrospective cohort was formed through linkage of Pickering and north Oshawa residents (1985) to incident cancer cases (1985–2005). We examined all sites combined, leukemia, lung, thyroid and childhood cancers (6–19 years) for males and females as well as female breast cancer. Tritium estimates were based on an atmospheric dispersion model, incorporating characteristics of annual tritium emissions and meteorology. Tritium concentration estimates were assigned to each cohort member based on exact location of residence. Person-years analysis was used to determine whether observed cancer cases were higher than expected. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to determine whether tritium was associated with radiation-sensitive cancers in Pickering. Results Person-years analysis showed female childhood cancer cases to be significantly higher than expected (standardized incidence ratio [SIR] = 1.99, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.08–3.38). The issue of multiple comparisons is the most likely explanation for this finding. Cox models revealed that female lung cancer was significantly higher in Pickering versus north Oshawa (HR = 2.34, 95% CI: 1.23–4.46) and that tritium was not associated with increased risk. The improved methodology used in this study adds to our understanding of cancer risks associated with low-dose tritium exposure. Conclusion Tritium estimates were not associated with increased risk of radiation-sensitive cancers in Pickering.


2005 ◽  
Vol 4 (8) ◽  
pp. 1396-1402 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel A. Rodríguez-Gabriel ◽  
Paul Russell

ABSTRACT Exposure to certain metal and metalloid species, such as arsenic, cadmium, chromium, and nickel, has been associated with an increased risk of cancer in humans. The biological effects of these metals are thought to result from induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inhibition of DNA repair enzymes, although alterations in signal transduction pathways may also be involved in tumor development. To better understand metal toxicity and its connection to ROS, we have compared the effects of arsenite and hydrogen peroxide in wild-type and mutant strains of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. An atf1Δ pap1Δ strain, which is defective in two transcription factors that control stress responses, is extremely sensitive to hydrogen peroxide but not to arsenite. A strain that lacks the transcription factor Zip1 has the opposite relationship. Spc1 (Sty1) mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), a homologue of mammalian p38 MAPK, and the upstream MAPK kinase (MAPKK) Wis1 are essential for survival of both arsenite and hydrogen peroxide. Inactivation of two MAPKK kinases, Win1 and Wis4, almost completely eliminates Spc1 activation by arsenite, yet these cells survive arsenite treatment. The two-component phosphorelay protein Mcs4, which acts upstream of Win1 and Wis4 and is required for Spc1 activation in response to oxidative stress, is not required for Spc1 activation in response to arsenite. We conclude that the toxic effects of arsenic are not strongly connected to oxidative stress and that although Spc1 is activated by arsenic exposure, the basal activity of Spc1 is largely sufficient for the survival of arsenic.


Diabetes ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 68 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 1421-P
Author(s):  
SYLVIA E. BADON ◽  
FEI XU ◽  
ASSIAMIRA FERRARA ◽  
MONIQUE M. HEDDERSON

Neurographics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 228-235
Author(s):  
S. Naganawa ◽  
T. Donohue ◽  
A. Capizzano ◽  
Y. Ota ◽  
J. Kim ◽  
...  

Li-Fraumeni syndrome is a familial cancer predisposition syndrome associated with germline mutation of the tumor suppressor gene 53, which encodes the tumor suppressor p53 protein. Affected patients are predisposed to an increased risk of cancer development, including soft-tissue sarcomas, breast cancer, brain tumors, and adrenocortical carcinoma, among other malignancies. The tumor suppressor gene TP53 plays an important, complex role in regulating the cell cycle, collaborating with transcription factors and other proteins. The disruption of appropriate cell cycle regulation by mutated TP53 is considered to be the cause of tumorigenesis in Li-Fraumeni syndrome. Appropriate surveillance, predominantly by using MR imaging, is used for early malignancy screening in an effort to improve the survival rate among individuals who are affected. Patients with Li-Fraumeni syndrome are also at increased risk for neoplasm development after radiation exposure, and, therefore, avoiding unnecessary radiation in both the diagnostic and therapeutic settings is paramount. Here, we review the epidemiology, genetics, imaging findings, and the current standard surveillance protocol for Li-Fraumeni syndrome from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network as well as potential treatment options.Learning Objective: Describe the cause of second primary malignancy among patients with Li-Fraumeni syndrome.


2021 ◽  
pp. 073401682110157
Author(s):  
Thomas Wojciechowski

Cumulative victimization represents the summation of victimization experiences across multiple contexts, with greater accumulation generally predicting greater dysfunction than less accumulation of exposures. Past research has indicated that cumulative victimization predicts increased risk for future revictimization also. The dual systems model may help to understand this relationship. This framework comprises constructs of sensation-seeking and impulse control in developmental context. Deviant peer association may provide a social factor that helps to understand this relationship. Victimization has been found to influence all of these constructs identified here. It is predicted that increased accumulation of victimization experiences may drive variation in these constructs that results in elevated risk for revictimization. This study sought to test the theory that each of these three constructs independently mediated the cumulative victimization–revictimization relationship. The Pathways to Desistance data were used in analyses. This sample was comprised of 1,354 juvenile offenders followed for 7 years after a recent adjudication prior to baseline measurements. The first three waves of data were used in analyses. Generalized structural equation modeling was used to test for the relationships of interest. A bootstrapping process of computing standard errors was carried out to determine significance of mediation effects. Results indicated that increased cumulative victimization scores at baseline predicted increased probability of experiencing victimization at Wave 3. This relationship was attenuated by about 15% when all mediators were added to the model and the relationship remained significant. Further analyses indicated that the specific indirect effect running through deviant peer association was significant, as was the total indirect effect. Findings indicate that increases in cumulative victimization may result in increased affiliation with deviant peers that further increases their future victimization risk. Service providers for survivors of violence should focus on screening of social relationships of those they provide care for in order to assess safety concerns.


Author(s):  
Pernilla Lagergren ◽  
Asif Johar ◽  
Helen Rosenlund ◽  
Lars Arnberg ◽  
Lena Haglund ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose Esophagectomy for cancer is an extensive procedure often followed by severe complications. This study investigated whether patients with severe symptoms of reflux are more likely to have sleep disturbances and reduced health-related quality of life (HRQL) after esophagectomy. Methods This Swedish nationwide prospective cohort study encompassed all patients who had undergone esophagectomy for cancer between 2013 and 2018. One year after surgery, the patients responded to three questionnaires on reflux (EORTC QLQOG25), sleep disturbances (KSQ), and HRQL (EORTC QLQ-C30). Multivariable logistic regression provided odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for sleep disturbance/reduced HRQL between patients with and without reflux, adjusted for potential confounders. Results Among 241 esophagectomy patients, 66 (27%) reported severe reflux. Patients with reflux had an increased risk of sleep disturbances (OR 2.3, 95% CI: 1.3–4.3) compared to patients without reflux. More specifically, these patients were more likely to suffer from poor sleep quality (OR 4.9, 95% CI: 1.9–12.4). Patients with reflux and sleep disturbances reported reductions in global quality of life, role function, emotional function, social function, and more symptoms in all scales, except for dyspnea. Conclusions This study suggests that patients with severe symptoms of reflux after esophagectomy have an increased risk of sleep disturbances and poor sleep quality, which in turn are associated with reduced HRQL. Implications for Cancer Survivors Alleviating reflux after oesophageal cancer surgery is important, since this common symptom might reduce HRQL and well-being.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. e043731
Author(s):  
Adnan Sharif ◽  
Javeria Peracha ◽  
David Winter ◽  
Raoul Reulen ◽  
Mike Hawkins

IntroductionSolid organ transplant patients are counselled regarding increased risk of cancer (principally due to their need for lifelong immunosuppression) and it ranks as one of their biggest self-reported worries. Post-transplantation cancer is common, associated with increased healthcare costs and emerging as a leading cause of post-transplant mortality. However, epidemiology of cancer post-transplantation remains poorly understood, with limitations including translating data from different countries and national data being siloed across different registries and/or data warehouses.Methods and analysisStudy methodology for Epidemiology of Cancer after Solid Organ Transplantation involves record linkage between the UK Transplant Registry (from NHS Blood and Transplant), Hospital Episode Statistics (for secondary care episodes from NHS Digital), National Cancer Registry (from cancer registration data hosted by Public Health England) and the National Death Registry (from NHS Digital). Deterministic record linkage will be conducted by NHS Digital, with a fully anonymised linked dataset available for analysis by the research team. The study cohort will consist of up to 85 410 solid organ transplant recipients,who underwent a solid organ transplant in England between 1 January 1985 and 31 December 2015, with up-to-date outcome data.Ethics and disseminationThis study has been approved by the Confidentiality Advisory Group (reference: 16/CAG/0121), Research Ethics Committee (reference: 15/YH/0320) and Institutional Review Board (reference: RRK5471). The results of this study will be presented at national and international conferences, and manuscripts with results will be submitted for publication in high-impact peer-reviewed journals. The information produced will also be used to develop national evidence-based clinical guidelines to inform risk stratification to enable risk-based clinical follow-up.Trial registration numberNCT02991105.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 771
Author(s):  
In-Jeong Cho ◽  
Jeong-Hun Shin ◽  
Mi-Hyang Jung ◽  
Chae Young Kang ◽  
Jinseub Hwang ◽  
...  

We sought to assess the association between common antihypertensive drugs and the risk of incident cancer in treated hypertensive patients. Using the Korean National Health Insurance Service database, the risk of cancer incidence was analyzed in patients with hypertension who were initially free of cancer and used the following antihypertensive drug classes: Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs); angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs); beta blockers (BBs); calcium channel blockers (CCBs); and diuretics. During a median follow-up of 8.6 years, there were 4513 (6.4%) overall cancer incidences from an initial 70,549 individuals taking antihypertensive drugs. ARB use was associated with a decreased risk for overall cancer in a crude model (hazard ratio (HR): 0.744, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.696–0.794) and a fully adjusted model (HR: 0.833, 95% CI: 0.775–0.896) compared with individuals not taking ARBs. Other antihypertensive drugs, including ACEIs, CCBs, BBs, and diuretics, did not show significant associations with incident cancer overall. The long-term use of ARBs was significantly associated with a reduced risk of incident cancer over time. The users of common antihypertensive medications were not associated with an increased risk of cancer overall compared to users of other classes of antihypertensive drugs. ARB use was independently associated with a decreased risk of cancer overall compared to other antihypertensive drugs.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Weiqing Liu ◽  
Shumin Ma ◽  
Lei Liang ◽  
Zhiyong Kou ◽  
Hongbin Zhang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Studies on the XRCC3 rs1799794 polymorphism show that this polymorphism is involved in a variety of cancers, but its specific relationships or effects are not consistent. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to investigate the association between rs1799794 polymorphism and susceptibility to cancer. Methods PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched for eligible studies through June 11, 2019. All analyses were performed with Stata 14.0. Subgroup analyses were performed by cancer type, ethnicity, source of control, and detection method. A total of 37 studies with 23,537 cases and 30,649 controls were included in this meta-analysis. Results XRCC3 rs1799794 increased cancer risk in the dominant model and heterozygous model (GG + AG vs. AA: odds ratio [OR] = 1.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.00–1.08, P = 0.051; AG vs. AA: OR = 1.05, 95% CI = 1.00–1.01, P = 0.015). The existence of rs1799794 increased the risk of breast cancer and thyroid cancer, but reduced the risk of ovarian cancer. In addition, rs1799794 increased the risk of cancer in the Caucasian population. Conclusion This meta-analysis confirms that XRCC3 rs1799794 is related to cancer risk, especially increased risk for breast cancer and thyroid cancer and reduced risk for ovarian cancer. However, well-designed large-scale studies are required to further evaluate the results.


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