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CANCER MORTALITY AND AIR FORCE BASES

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John R. Lester, Ph.D. and Dennis F. Moore, M.D. · 1982

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Counties near Air Force bases showed significantly higher cancer deaths during 1950-1969, suggesting radar EMF health risks.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

This 1982 study examined cancer death rates in U.S. counties with Air Force bases compared to counties without them from 1950-1969. Counties with Air Force bases showed significantly higher cancer mortality rates. The finding suggests potential health impacts from radar and other electromagnetic radiation sources commonly found at military installations.

Why This Matters

This early epidemiological study provides compelling population-level evidence that proximity to high-powered radar systems may increase cancer risk. Air Force bases during this period operated powerful radar installations emitting electromagnetic radiation at levels far exceeding what most civilians encounter from consumer devices. What makes this finding particularly significant is its scope - this wasn't a small study of individual exposures, but a nationwide analysis showing consistent patterns across entire counties. The timing is also important: this covers the post-WWII era when radar technology was rapidly expanding but health protections were minimal. While we can't definitively attribute the excess cancer deaths to EMF exposure alone, the pattern mirrors what we've seen with other environmental health hazards - widespread exposure preceding widespread recognition of harm.

Exposure Information

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.

Cite This Study
John R. Lester, Ph.D. and Dennis F. Moore, M.D. (1982). CANCER MORTALITY AND AIR FORCE BASES.
Show BibTeX
@article{cancer_mortality_and_air_force_bases_g14,
  author = {John R. Lester and Ph.D. and Dennis F. Moore and M.D.},
  title = {CANCER MORTALITY AND AIR FORCE BASES},
  year = {1982},
  doi = {10.3109/15368378209040329},
  
}
DOI: 10.3109/15368378209040329

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, this nationwide study found counties containing Air Force bases had significantly higher cancer mortality rates from 1950-1969 compared to counties without military installations, suggesting environmental health impacts from radar and other base operations.
The study analyzed cancer mortality data from 1950-1969, covering the post-World War II era when radar technology expanded rapidly at Air Force installations but health protections were minimal or nonexistent.
Military radar systems operate at power levels thousands of times higher than consumer devices like cell phones or WiFi routers, creating much more intense electromagnetic field exposures for nearby populations over extended periods.
No, this was a broad analysis of overall cancer mortality rates rather than specific cancer types. The study looked at total cancer deaths across entire county populations near Air Force installations.
While other environmental factors like chemical pollutants or aviation fuel could contribute, the consistent nationwide pattern suggests electromagnetic radiation from radar systems may play a significant role in the observed excess cancer mortality.