Occupational exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields and brain tumor risk: application of the INTEROCC job-exposure matrix

Authors: Maxime Turuban, Hans Kromhout, Javier Vila, Miquel Vallbona-Vistos, Frank de Vocht, Baldi, L Richardson, G Benke, D Krewski, E Parent, S Sadetzki, B Schlehofer, J Schuz, J Siemiatycki, M van Tongeren, A Woodward, E Cardis, M Turner

Year: 2024-09-20

Category: Epidemiology

Journal: International Journal of Cancer

DOI: 10.1002/ijc.35182

URL: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ijc.35182

Abstract

Overview

Radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF, 100 kHz to 300 GHz) have been classified by the IARC as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B). This study investigates the potential association between occupational RF-EMF exposure and brain tumor risk, utilizing, for the first time, a dedicated RF-EMF job-exposure matrix (RF-JEM) developed in the multinational INTEROCC case-control study. Lifetime job histories were linked to the RF-JEM using three different methods to estimate cumulative and time-weighted average exposures.

  • Method 1: RF-EMF intensity among all exposed jobs
  • Method 2: RF-EMF intensity among jobs with median or higher exposure prevalence
  • Method 3: RF-EMF intensity for those who reported RF-EMF source use

Findings

Stratified conditional logistic regression models considered various lag periods and time windows. The study found:

  • No clear overall associations between occupational RF-EMF exposure and risk of glioma or meningioma.
  • Some statistically significant positive associations for glioma in the highest exposure categories (1-4 year window, Method 1: OR=1.36, 95% CI 1.08–1.72; OR=1.27, 95% CI 1.01–1.59) and for meningioma (5-9 year window, Method 3: OR=2.30, 95% CI 1.11–4.78).
  • Results across different methods were not always consistent, and positive findings could be due to chance.

Conclusion

The overall evidence does not indicate convincing associations between occupational RF-EMF exposure and risk of glioma or meningioma. The RF-JEM is shown to be valuable for occupational studies, especially where self-reported data is not available. However, some positive associations were observed in specific time windows and exposure categories, underscoring the need for further independent studies to clarify the relationship between brain tumors and occupational RF-EMF exposure. The findings reinforce that while no clear trends were found, the link to potential health risks cannot be disregarded and ongoing investigation is warranted.

radiofrequency electromagnetic fields brain tumor occupational exposure cancer risk INTEROCC job-exposure matrix RF-EMF safety
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