Congenital malformations and exposure to high-frequency electromagnetic radiation among Danish physiotherapists

Scand J Work Environ Health. 1991 Oct;17(5):318-23. doi: 10.5271/sjweh.1696.

Abstract

A cluster initiated the present case-referent study to assess the relation between exposure to high-frequency electromagnetic radiation and congenital malformations. Through the linkage of a cohort formed from a union file of Danish physiotherapists with complete national registers of pregnancy outcome, cases (pregnancies terminated by the birth of a malformed child) and referents were identified. From responses in a blinded telephone interview without knowledge of case status, exposure to high-frequency electromagnetic radiation in the first month of pregnancy was assessed. Indices reflecting duration of exposure ("time") and maximum level of exposure ("peak") were composed. After a 7% dropout 54 cases and 247 referents were interviewed. No statistically significant associations between pregnancy outcome and high-frequency electromagnetic radiation were found (odds ratio 1.7, 95% confidence interval 0.6-4.3).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Abnormalities, Radiation-Induced / epidemiology
  • Abnormalities, Radiation-Induced / etiology*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cohort Studies
  • Denmark / epidemiology
  • Electromagnetic Fields
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Occupational Exposure / adverse effects*
  • Physical Therapy Modalities*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Outcome
  • Space-Time Clustering