Epidemiological study (observational study)

Cancer incidence near radio and television transmitters in Great Britain. I. Sutton Coldfield transmitter epidem.

By: Dolk H, Shaddick G, Walls P, Grundy C, Thakrar B, Kleinschmidt I, Elliott P

Published in: Am J Epidemiol 1997; 145 (1): 1-9

Aim of study (acc. to author)

The cancer incidence in 1974 - 1986 was investigated in the vicinity of the Sutton Coldfield transmitter in Birmingham, England.

Further details

The study area was defined as a circle of 10 km radius centered on the Sutton Coldfield transmitter and further divided into 10 areas of increasing distance.

Endpoint/type of risk estimation

leukemia and lymphoma: acute leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, acute lymphatic leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia, chronic lymphatic leukemia
brain tumor: benign and malignant brain tumors
breast cancer: in women and men
lung cancer, colorectal cancer, stomach cancer, prostate cancer, bladder cancer, skin melanoma, eye melanoma
childhood leukemia
other childhood cancer

Type of risk estimation:

incidence

Exposure

- TV broadcast (VHF/UHF)
- FM broadcast (UKW)
- residential

Assessment

measurement: effective radiated power for each frequency

Exposure groups

Group	Description
Group 1	distance from transmitter: 0 - 0.5 km
Group 2	distance from transmitter: 0.5 - 1.0 km
Group 3	distance from transmitter: 1.0 - 2.0 km
Group 4	distance from transmitter: 2.0 - 3.0 km
Group 5	distance from transmitter: 3.0 - 4.9 km
Group 6	distance from transmitter: 4.9 - 6.3 km
Group 7	distance from transmitter: 6.3 - 7.4 km
Group 8	distance from transmitter: 7.4 - 8.3 km
Group 9	distance from transmitter: 8.3 - 9.2 km
Group 10	distance from transmitter: 9.2 - 10 km

Population

Group:
- men
- women
- children
Characteristics: residents
Observation period: 1974 - 1986
Study location: Great Britain (circle of 10 km radius centered on the transmitter, Birmigham)
Data source: Office of Population Censuses, Information and Statistics Division of the Scottish Health Service, West Midlands Cancer Registry, Great Britain

Study size

Type	Value
Total	408,000

Statistical analysis method:

unconditional logistic regression
conditional logistic regression
Stone's test

(adjustment:

5-year age group
sex
socioeconomic status

)

Results (acc. to author)

The risk for adult leukemia within 2 km distance from the Sutton Coldfield transmitter was significantly increased (RR 1.83, CI 1.22-2.74), and a significant decline in risk with distance from the transmitter was observed. A significant decline in risk with increasing distance was also found for bladder cancer and for skin cancer, possibly related to socioeconomic confounding.
The authors concluded that no causal implications can be made from this single cluster investigation.

Study funded by

Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety. Northern Ireland
Department of Health, UK
Department of the Environment, Health and Safety Executive, UK
Scottish Office, UK
Wales Office, UK

Comments on this article

Cooper D et al. (2001): Reply: "Cancer incidence near radio and television transmitters in Great Britain. I. Sutton Coldfield transmitter; II. All high power transmitters"
Cherry N (2001): Re: "Cancer incidence near radio and television transmitters in Great Britain. I. Sutton Coldfield transmitter; II. All high power transmitters"
Hocking B et al. (1998): Reply: "Cancer incidence near radio and television transmitters in Great Britain. I. Sutton Coldfield transmitter. II. All high power transmitters"
Lawrence DW (1997): Re: "Cancer incidence near radio and television transmitters in Great Britain"

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