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International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health

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01-08-2007 | Original Article

Occupational exposure to ionizing and non-ionizing radiation and risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Authors: Ken K. Karipidis, Geza Benke, Malcolm R. Sim, Timo Kauppinen, Anne Kricker, Ann Maree Hughes, Andrew E. Grulich, Claire M. Vajdic, John Kaldor, Bruce Armstrong, Lin Fritschi

Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health | Issue 8/2007

Abstract

Objective

To investigate the association between occupational exposure to ionizing, ultraviolet (UV), radiofrequency (RF) and extremely low frequency (ELF) radiation and risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in a population-based case-control study.

Methods

The study population consisted of 694 NHL cases, first diagnosed between 1 January 2000 and 31 August 2001, and 694 controls from two regions in Australia, matched by age, sex and region of residence. A detailed occupation history was first obtained using a lifetime calendar and a telephone interview. Exposure to radiation was then assessed using a Finnish job-exposure matrix (FINJEM). Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated from logistic regression models that included the matching variables as covariates.

Results

For ionizing radiation, the ORs were close to unity. For UV and ELF radiation, the highest exposed group of workers had ORs of 1.32 (95% CI = 0.96–1.81) and 1.25 (95% CI = 0.91–1.72), respectively. For UV radiation there was a positive dose–response when exposure was lagged by 5 and 10 years (P for trend 0.04 for both lag periods). Workers in the upper tertile of exposure for RF radiation had an OR of 3.15 (95% CI = 0.63–15.87), but the estimate was based on very small numbers.

Conclusions

Our results do not provide support for an association between NHL and occupational exposure to ionizing or ELF radiation. For UV radiation, our findings are consistent with a weak positive association. Further investigation focusing on UV and RF radiation and NHL is required.

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Title: Occupational exposure to ionizing and non-ionizing radiation and risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Authors: Ken K. Karipidis
Geza Benke
Malcolm R. Sim
Timo Kauppinen
Anne Kricker
Ann Maree Hughes
Andrew E. Grulich
Claire M. Vajdic
John Kaldor
Bruce Armstrong
Lin Fritschi
Publication date: 01-08-2007
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health / Issue 8/2007
Print ISSN: 0340-0131
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1246
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-007-0177-0

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Springer Medicine

Occupational exposure to ionizing and non-ionizing radiation and risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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