Transcript Examination of Health Risks Associated with Exposure to

Examination of Health Risks
Associated with Exposure to
Electromagnetic Radiation
Cynthia Kelly, M.D.
Orthopaedic Oncologist
Denver, Colorado
Radiation
You can’t
–
–
–
–
touch it,
feel it,
smell it,
or taste it.
Radiation
Very high doses cause
immediate cellular death.
Low doses cause disturbances
within the cell, causing systems
malfunction but not death.
– Ion transport(calcium), gene
transcription
Health Effects of
Electromagnetic Fields
Brain cancer
Childhood leukemia
Birth defects
Pregnancy loss
– Physiotherapists 0.04-0.56 W/cm2
Sleep disturbances
Altered calcium ion movement in
brain cells
Altered children’s performance
– Mental & physical 0-4 W/cm2
Literature Review
Cells (plant & animal) exposed to
EMF show “distinct growth changes
… alteration in cellular enzymes.”
Human & animal cells demonstrated
“modulation of gene-expression,
changes in transcription pattern &
protein synthesis.”
– DNA effects
» Hawaii Med J 1991
Literature Review
Available data suggest that RF
radiation should be considered “a
carcinogenic risk,” a position taken
in an internal 1990 US EPA
document…
– when there was much less evidence of
the potential harmfulness of EMF
radiation.
» Env Health Perspectives 105(s) Dec 1997
Literature Review
Statistically significant doseresponse relationships exist for
the physiotherapist study,
Korean war study and the Polish
military study.
» Dept Natural Resources Engineering NZ 1997
Lit Review: Health Effects
Due to EMF Exposure
Exposure
(W/cm2)
Risk Ratio
(range)
20
3.0-13.9
North Sydney
Australia (1996)
<0.2 - 8
1.61-2.74
Moscow Embassy
(1995)
2.4 - 4.0
1.7-5.0
US Air Force
(1996)
Variable
1.28-3.3
Study
Polish Military
(1996)
Community levels after LCG proposed tower = 1-20W/cm2
Health Effects of EMF
There are more than 60 major
studies declaring the dangers of
EMF.
EMF has been declared a
“hazard” by the Swedish
government, and they have
instituted mandates concerning
public exposure.
Public Exposure Limit
If cancer risk is to be reduced,
– the limit should be <0.1W/cm2
If miscarriage risk, sleep disruption,
children’s performance impairment,
and chronic fatigue is to be reduced,
– the limit should be <0.01W/cm2
» Dept Natural Resources Engineering NZ 1997
Health Effects of EMF
Under extended exposure
conditions RF signals at average
of 5 W/kg are capable of
inducing chromosome damage
in human lymphocytes.
Increase in # micronucleated
cells
Bioelectromagnetics 23:113-126, 2002
Susceptibility:
Our children
Childhood Leukemia & EMF
 Positive association & dose-response
relationship with relative risk estimates
from 1.5-2.7 for past exposure (5 studies).
 Significant dose-response relationship (3
studies).
– Observations can’t be explained by misclassification of exposure or a selection bias.
– A confounder effect would hardly explain such
results.
 Possible causal nature cannot be
dismissed.
» Levallois: Am J Prev Med 1995
Childhood Leukemia & EMF
Italian study – 2.2 fold increase
in leukemia in children living
w/in 6 km of Vatican radio and
TV transmission towers (2001)
Australia study – increased
incidence of childhood leukemia
and death d/t TV tower RF
– Med. J. Australia, Vol.165, No. 2 p.601-5
Health Effects of EMF
18 studies of childhood cancer &
residential exposure to EMF have
been conducted.
– There is a preponderance of positive
results, more than one would expect by
chance.
When all studies are pooled, the
average risk for leukemia, lymphoma
and nervous system tumors are
statistically significant.
» Cancer Causes Control 5:299-309, 1994
Health Effects of EMF
 There were excess leukemia & central
nervous system cancers in those employed
in occupations where there is substantial
use of electricity
– Electricians, electric utility & power company
employees
 Meta-analysis regarding occupational
exposure to EMF, leukemia & brain cancer
report modest but statistically significant
increases in cancer risk.
» J Occup Environ Med, Dec. 1995
Standards
Current regulatory standards are
based solely on the THERMAL effects
of RF radiation (200W/cm2) at the
cellular level.
Evidence from Moscow & other
community studies suggest that
exposure as low as 2W/cm2 may
have long term health effects.
» Env Health Perspectives 105(s) Dec 1997
Health Studies
The focus of more recent
animal studies exploring the
possible carcinogenicity of EMF
exposure has been the role of
EMF as a promoter of
malfunction within a cell.
Development of cancer is
probably multifactorial.
Carcinogenesis
“… a multistep process that requires at
least 2 genotoxic events in its critical
path but is facilitated by nongenotoxic
proliferative effects on target cells.
EMF could influence carcinogenesis if
it exerted either direct or indirect
effects on target cell turnover.”
» Bioelectromagnetics 17:339, 1996
Carcinogenesis
In work spanning a decade & 9
projects, Goodman & Henderson
reported increased transcription
of oncogenes (cancer genes) &
other specific mRNA sequences
in several types of cells exposed
to low-frequency magnetic
fields.
Latency
Latency is the
delayed effect of
exposure to a
harmful
substance, i.e. sun
and UV exposure.
Latency
Tobacco industry –
– Initially there was felt to be no
link between tobacco use and
cancer
– Now the link is clear cut
Clinical Experience
Children with cancer
Parents’ concerns
Risk vs. Benefit
Risk: Health hazard
to community, both
real & perceived.
‘Benefit’: Better
resolution on a
television screen
Implications for
Public Policy
The risk of EMF exposure with
erection of the new tower is
sufficiently significant and the
exposure sufficiently widespread
that actions to limit new
exposures are warranted.
Implications for
Public Policy
Two main approaches for
lowering exposure to EMF:
– Personal: change in one’s habits
– Societal: increase the distance of
the source of EMF from people
Economics
The costs of mitigation and
litigation relating to the power
line – cancer connection have
risen into the billions of $$ &
threaten to go much higher.
Avoid additional costs & locate
the proposed tower to an
alternate, less-inhabited site.
Conclusion
When it is possible to reduce
EMF exposure at a reasonable
cost and low inconvenience,
future disease may be
substantially reduced.
» Public Health Reports, May/June 1996
The evidence justifies Prudent
Avoidance of unnecessary
community exposures.
» Env Health Perspectives 105(s) Dec 1997
Conclusion
There is discrepancy surrounding
allowable, “safe” levels of exposure
to all sources of electromagnetic
energy.
With the possible association with
cancer, fetal loss and other effects,
prudence in the design and
placement of new power systems is
imperative.
Conclusion
There is conclusive, alarming,
scientific evidence linking EMR
and the development of cancer
and other health problems in
children & adults at the same
levels this “Super Tower” will
emit.
Conclusion
After exposure to EMR:
– there are significant patterns of increase
incidence of childhood leukemia, brain
cancer, spontaneous abortion
(miscarriage), and other harmful effects
with exposure to EMR.
– biochemical & physiologic reactions and
alterations at the cellular and tissue
level.
Conclusion
It is unconscionable that Jeffco
commissioners would expose an
UNWILLING community of
constituents to the effects of
EMR until it is unequivocally
proven to be safe.
The Future
What do you say to the
children of the community
living in proximity to the new
tower who develop cancer?
Conclusion
Why put your constituents at
risk all for better TV viewing?
Other acceptable site available
Will we leave Jefferson County if the
proposed tower is erected?
YES!
Thank You!