Epidemiological study (observational study)

Childhood incidence of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and exposure to broadcast radiation in Sydney - a second look epidem.

By: McKenzie DR, Yin Y, Morrell S

Published in: Aust N Z J Public Health 1998; 22 (3) Suppl: 360-367

Aim of study (acc. to author)

An ecological study was conducted in Australia to examine previous findings of an apparent association between incidence of childhood leukemia and radio frequency exposure from television transmitters in Sydney.

Further details

The study area included 16 local government areas in comparison to 9 local government areas divided in inner and outer circle in the previous study.

Endpoint/type of risk estimation

childhood leukemia: acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Type of risk estimation:

incidence

Exposure

- TV broadcast (VHF/UHF)
- residential

Assessment

measurement: electric field intensity
calculation: average signal strength based on ERP, frequency and antenna height

Exposure groups

Group	Description
Group 1	all local government areas
Group 2	all local government areas excluding Lane Cove
Group 3	all local government areas excluding Hunters Hill and areas across the water (cf. Hocking et al.)
Group 4	all local government areas excluding Hunters Hill, areas across the water (cf. Hocking et al.) and Lane Cove

Population

Group:
- children
Age: 0–14 years
Characteristics: residents
Observation period: 1972 - 1990
Study location: Australia (16 local government areas in Sydney)
Data source: North South Wales Cancer Registry in Australia

Statistical analysis method:

Poisson regression model

(adjustment:

5-year age group

)

Results (acc. to author)

The reanalysis of the data of Hocking et al. 1996 showed that one of the highly exposed local government area, Lane Cove, contributed all excess while in a similar exposed area the incidence of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia was similar to the rate of New South Wales. The excess was most evident during the time period 1972 - 1978 among the youngest group before starting 24 hour TV transmissions.
The authors concluded that the population-level evidence is weak that radiorequency exposure from television transmitters is associated with or determines the incidence of childhood leukemia.

Study funded by

not stated/no funding

Comments on this article

Hocking B et al. (2000): TV towers and childhood leukaemia (continued)
McKenzie DR et al. (1999): Childhood leukaemia and TV towers: the debate continues
Hocking B et al. (1999): Childhood leukaemia and TV towers revisited

Hauri DD et al. (2014): Exposure to Radio-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields From Broadcast Transmitters and Risk of Childhood Cancer: A Census-based Cohort Study
Li CY et al. (2012): A population-based case-control study of radiofrequency exposure in relation to childhood neoplasm
Atzmon I et al. (2012): Cancer risks in the Druze Isifya Village: Reasons and RF/MW antennas
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