Cancer incidence vs. FM radio transmitter density

ABSTRACT

Background: In 2002, a strong association was highlighted between local melanoma incidence and the number of locally covering main Frequency Modulation (FM) transmitters in Sweden. This study investigated whether an association also exists between melanoma incidence and the average density of main FM transmitters in different European countries. Methods: Twenty-three different European countries were asked to disclose the number of main transmitters used for the FM broadcasting band (87·5–108 MHz) in the respective country. Incidences of melanoma, breast cancer and all cancers together per country were correlated with their respective average density of transmitters per 10,000 km². Findings: Both melanoma and breast cancer, as well as all cancers together, appear to be significantly associated with the density of main FM broadcasting transmitters in the European countries examined. Interpretation: The findings present strong support to the earlier presented hypothesis that body-resonant broadcasting radiation emitted by horizontally polarized main FM transmitters has an immune-disturbing effect. Funding: This study was financed by internal funds within Hallberg Independent Research only.

KEYWORDS:

• Melanoma
• incidence
• breast cancer
• FM radio
• transmitters
• correlation

Acknowledgments

The author thanks Mr. Lloyd Morgan, USA, for valuable comments during the initial phase of this project. Professor Olle Johansson, Karolinska Institute, Sweden, is thankfully acknowledged for all of his support since our first paper on the subject was published in 2002.

Conflicts of interest statement

The author reports no conflicts of interest.