title: Tumor-specific frequencies and ocular melanoma.
abstract: Specific kilohertz frequencies in the environment from variable frequency drives on electric motors at a liquid natural gas compressor and storage station on a natural gas pipeline seem to be associated with the development of a very rare cancer, ocular melanoma, at a high school and in individuals living or working in a neighborhood near the plant. Primary neutral-to-earth oscilloscope voltage waveforms and spectra measured near the high school were nearly identical to the ground voltage 2.3 miles away at the gas pipeline. Peak frequencies of 7440 and 19,980 Hz were found at both places. The electric utility practice of using the earth as a conduit for return currents facilitated this exposure.
authors.affiliation: a Washington State Health Department , Olympia WA , USA.
authors.forename: Samuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Milham
authors.affiliation: b Stetzer Electric , Blair WI , USA.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Stetzer
mesh_terms: D063646:Carcinogenesis / Q000528:radiation effects; D004560:Electricity / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005134:Eye Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D008545:Melanoma / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology
keywords: Frequency spectrum; ground current; ocular melanoma; primary neutral-to-earth voltage; variable frequency drive