Increased mortality in amateur radio operators due to lymphatic and hematopoietic malignancies

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1988 · Am. J. Epidemiol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5405142

Milham, S Jr

To search for potentially carcinogenic effects of electromagnetic field exposures, the author conducted a population-based study of mortality in US amateur radio operators. Ascertainment of Washington State and California amateur radio operators (67,829 persons) was done through the 1984 US Federal Communications Commission Amateur Radio Station and/or Operator License file. A total of 2485 deaths were located for the period from January 1, 1979 through December 31, 1984, in a population of amateur radio operators which accumulated 232,499 person-years at risk. The all-cause standardized mortality ratio (SMR) was 71, but a statistically significant increased mortality was seen for cancers of the other lymphatic tissues (SMR = 162), a rubric which includes multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. The all-leukemia standardized mortality ratio was slightly, but nonsignificantly, elevated (SMR = 124). However, mortality due to acute myeloid leukemia was significantly elevated (SMR = 176).

• Research Organization: Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, Olympia
• OSTI ID: 5405142
• Journal Information: Am. J. Epidemiol.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. J. Epidemiol.; (United States) Vol. 127:1; ISSN AJEPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560400* -- Other Environmental Pollutant Effects
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
CALIFORNIA
DISEASES
ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
FEDERAL REGION IX
FEDERAL REGION X
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
HEMIC DISEASES
LEUKEMIA
MORTALITY
NEOPLASMS
NORTH AMERICA
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
RADIATIONS
RISK ASSESSMENT
USA
WASHINGTON