MELBOURNE, March 25 (Xinhua) -- A new study has found no evidence that occupational exposure to radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic energy (EME) increases the risk of brain cancer.
The research, led by Australian and European researchers, looked at 467 brain cancer cases and their exposure to RF EME through their work, particularly manufacturing, transport, medical, construction and communications industries, a statement from the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) said Wednesday.
Researchers estimated participants' exposure levels during their work history based on data provided by two exposure assessment databases, covering up to 468 occupations, said the study, published in the BMJ Open journal.
"When examining participants' entire work histories, including some who had elevated exposures from frequently using handheld radios or doing plastic welding, we found that there was no increased risk of brain cancer from RF EME exposure," said Rohan Mate, a PhD student at Australia's Monash University and the ARPANSA, who led the study.
Associate Professor Ken Karipidis from ARPANSA, who co-authored and supervised the study, said the findings should reassure workers with higher levels of occupational RF EME exposure than the general population that they are safe. ■
