Document ID (ISN) | 108781 |
CIS number |
08-1431 |
ISSN - Serial title |
0271-3586 - American Journal of Industrial Medicine |
Year |
2008 |
Convention or series no. |
|
Author(s) |
Milham S., Morgan L.L. |
Title |
A new electromagnetic exposure metric: High frequency voltage transients associated with increased cancer incidence in teachers in a California school |
Bibliographic information |
Aug. 2008, Vol.51 No.8, p.579-586. Illus. 10 ref. |
Abstract |
In 2003, the teachers of a school in California complained of an abnormally high incidence rate of cancer. The objective of this study was to investigate the cancer incidence among these teachers, and its cause. A retrospective study of cancer incidence in the teachers' cohort was investigated in relationship to the school's electrical environment. Sixteen school teachers among the 137 teachers working at the school from 1988 to 2005 were diagnosed with 18 cancers. The observed to expected (O/E) ratio for all cancers was 2.78, while the O/E ratio was 9.8 for malignant melanoma, 13.3 for thyroid cancer end 9.2 for uterine cancer. A positive relationship was found between cancer risk and cumulative exposure to high frequency voltage transients on the classroom's electrical wiring. It is concluded that high frequency voltage transients may be a universal carcinogen, similar to ionizing radiation. |
Descriptors (primary) |
California; electricity; electromagnetic fields; physical hazards; cancer; teaching; premises |
Descriptors (secondary) |
ionizing radiation; mesothelioma; USA; thyroid cancer; uterine cancer; cohort study; frequency rates; case study |
Document type |
D - Periodical articles |
Country / State or Province | USA |
Subject(s) |
Commerce, services, offices
|
Broad subject area(s) |
Physical hazards Occupational medicine, epidemiology
|
Browse category(ies) |
Electricity Teaching and educational institutions Electromagnetic fields
|