A new study done by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (IS Global) claims that there is no clear association between being exposed to high frequency electromagnetic fields (EMF) and the risk of developing glioma or meningioma. The study is one of the largest epidemiological studies performed up until now. Elisabeth Cardis, Head of the Radiation Programme at ISGlobal and also the the senior author of the study said, “This is the largest study of brain tumours and occupational high-frequency EMF exposure to date.”
While both might not be linked to each other, the research team notes that further research on the association between radiofrequency magentic fields and the promotion of tumors would be encouraged. These high frequency electromagnetic fields are a kind of non-ionising radiation and consists of intermediate frequency (3kHz-10MHz) and radiofrequency (10MHz-300 GHz). WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) also categorized these fields as potential carcinogen to humans, but since the decision was based on limited animal and epidemiological evidence, further research is required.
For the study, researchers developed a ‘source-exposure matrix’ which was based on the measurements that were collected from the data that was provided by the study participants for EMF sources. This tool combined with the individual data, the research team was able to estimate the individual RF and IF exposure, and examined how it is linked with the risk of developing glioma or meningioma, both of which are the most frequently occurring brain tumors in adults.
This study was supported by the European Project called GERoNiMO, and had 2,054 glioma cases, 1,924 meningioma cases and 5,601 controls from seven different countries. Working near radars, telecommunication antennas, microwave drying ovens etc., are some of the occupational sectors where workers are exposed to electromagnetic radiation.
The results of the study indicated that there is no strong association between high-frequency EMF exposure and the risk of developing brain tumor, but the research team stresses that one should keep in mind that the number of participants that were exposed to these radiations was quite small- only 10% of all the participants being exposed to radiofrequencies and only about 1% being exposed to intermediate frequencies.
“Our individualised exposure assessment approach is an important improvement over previous efforts to assess high-frequency EMF exposure risks. Although we did not find a positive association, the fact that we observed indication of an increased risk in the group with most recent radiofrequency exposure deserves further investigation,” said Javier Vila, the first author of the study.