Slide 1

European Foundation of Oncology and Environmental Sciences B. Ramazzini Cesare Maltoni Cancer Research Center June 28 2007 The potential carcinogenic risks of electromagnetic fields: what we know and what we still must learn Bologna Summer Event Slide 2 2 Power frequency EMF: what we know Slide 3 3 Power frequency EMF: epidemiological evidence The first epidemiological study of childhood cancer and EMF was published in 1979. Since then more than 20 studies have been conducted The present position on EMF and the epidemiology of childhood leukemia is summarized in a pooled analysis of measurement and calculated field studies published by Ahlbom et al (3247 cases in total). Slide 4 4 Pooled results from Ahlbom et al 20.1 4.4 24.2 36 8 44 1.87 (1.1-3.2) 2.13 (0.9-4.9) 2.00 (1.3-3.1) 1.15 (0.9-1.5) 0.79 (0.3-2.3) 1.11 (0.8-1.5) 1.05 (0.9-1.3) 1.58 (0.8-3.3) 1.08 (0.9-1.3) Measurements studies Calculated field studies All studies Summary 0 0.2 2.7 1.5 21052105 2 cs/0 ct 6.21 0 cs/10 ct 3.74 0 cs/8 ct 4.11 1.06 0.57 2.68 0 cs/19 ct 1.75 Denmark Finland Norway Sweden Calculated field studies 10.3 0.9 0 4.4 4.7 13 2 0 4 17 1.55 2.00 0 cs/0 ct 1.00 3.44 1.39 1.67 4 cs/0 ct 0.98 1.01 1.29 1.24 0.67 0.84 1.11 Canada Germany New Zealand UK USA Measurement studies ExpectedObserved 0.4 T 0.2- 10 years latency period RFEMF: epidemiological evidence (part II) Slide 11 11 Animals Treatment Result Comments Authors Species/strain No. Exposure Duration Chou et al., 1992 Rats S.D. 100 males per group (2,450MHz) 25 months (21.5 h/day) Excess of primary malignant tumors Repacholi et al., 1997 Mice Em-Pim1 100 females per group (900 MHz) 18 months (1h/day) No evidence of carcinogenic effect Utteridge et al., 2002 120 females per group (900 MHz) 2 years (1h/day) No evidence of carcinogenic effect for mammary tumors Bartsch et al., 60 females (23 h/day) Only 1 sex (male); short duration (110 weeks) Only 1 sex (female); short duration (78 weeks) Few animals short duration (sacrificed within 1 year) 2002 Mice Em-Pim1; w.t. Rats S.D. per group (900 MHz and DMBA) Increase risk of lymphomas Only 1 sex (male); short duration (104 weeks) RFEMF: experimental evidence Slide 12 12 Present position on RFEMF Use of cell phones for < 10 years have not demonstrated an increase in cancer There is however some evidence regarding long- term use and lengthy latency period absence of evidence absence of risk Slide 13 13 EMF and RFEMF: what we still must learn Slide 14 14 EMF and RFEMF represent what are known as diffused carcinogenic risks. We use this term to describe carcinogenic risks of low potency, but to which almost the entire population of the planet may be exposed. Diffused carcinogenic risks Slide 15 15 1) agents which are slightly carcinogenic at any dose; 2) low or extremely low doses of strong carcinogenic agents; 3) mixtures of small doses of any carcinogenic agents. Examples of diffused carcinogenic risks Slide 16 16 In the case of diffused carcinogenic risks, it is not sufficient to follow the standard protocol used in ordinary experiments, but rather it is necessary to conduct what we define as mega-experiments. Tools for identifying diffused carcinogenic risks Slide 17 17 Characteristics of mega-experiments reproduce the various conditions of human exposure use vast numbers of animals per group, in order to express variations in the effects more sharply are conducted until the natural death of the rodents, to allow an agent to express its full carcinogenic potential evaluate all neoplastic and non-neoplastic pathologies Slide 18 18 35 years of mega-experiments at the ERF agent# rodents vinyl chloride> 7,000 vitamins> 8,000 coca-cola> 2,000 gamma radiation> 10,000 irradiated food > 2,000 electromagnetic fields> 9,000 extremely low frequency > 7,000 radiofrequency> 2,000 Slide 19 19 Integrated project of the European Ramazzini Foundation (ERF) Slide 20 20 ERF mega-experiments to evaluate EMF (50Hz) 7,133 TOTAL 50Hz-magnetic field and aflatoxin B1 642 BT 4 CEM 50Hz-magnetic field and 10 gamma rads 657 BT 3 CEM 50Hz-magnetic field and formaldehyde 805 BT 2 CEM 50Hz-magnetic field 5,029 BT 1 CEM TreatmentNumber of animals (M+F) Experiment Duration Lifespan Age at start embryo Slide 21 21 ERF mega-experiment on EMF (50Hz) Slide 22 22 ERF mega-experiment to evaluate RFERF (1.8 GHz) 2,448TOTAL 0 Volt/meter (control) 817IV 5 Volt/meter 811III 25 Volt/meter 411II 50 Volt/meter409I Treatment (Volt/meter)Number of animals (M+F) Group number Experiment BT 1 CEMRF Duration Lifespan Age at start embryo Slide 23 23 ERF mega-experiment on RFEMF (1.8 GHz) Slide 24 24 The epidemiological evidence concerning EMF and long- term exposure to RFEMF show there are reasonable grounds for concern for the possibility of adverse effects The absence of epidemiological evidence concerning short-term exposure RFEMF the absence of risk While we await the results of the experiments currently underway (2009-2011), the precautionary principle guides us to undertake provisional risk management measureswithout having to wait until the reality and seriousness of those adverse effects become fully apparent Conclusions