Tumor promotion by exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields below exposure limits for humans.

Abstract

The vast majority of in vitro and in vivo studies did not find cancerogenic effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF), i.e. emitted by mobile phones and base stations. Previously published results from a pilot study with carcinogen-treated mice, however, suggested tumor-promoting effects of RF-EMF (Tillmann et al., 2010). We have performed a replication study using higher numbers of animals per group and including two additional exposure levels (0 (sham), 0.04, 0.4 and 2 W/kg SAR). We could confirm and extend the originally reported findings. Numbers of tumors of the lungs and livers in exposed animals were significantly higher than in sham-exposed controls. In addition, lymphomas were also found to be significantly elevated by exposure. A clear dose-response effect is absent. We hypothesize that these tumor-promoting effects may be caused by metabolic changes due to exposure. Since many of the tumor-promoting effects in our study were seen at low to moderate exposure levels (0.04 and 0.4 W/kg SAR), thus well below exposure limits for the users of mobile phones, further studies are warranted to investigate the underlying mechanisms. Our findings may help to understand the repeatedly reported increased incidences of brain tumors in heavy users of mobile phones.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

In a replication study in carcinogen-treated mice exposed at 0 (sham), 0.04, 0.4, and 2 W/kg SAR, numbers of lung and liver tumors were significantly higher in exposed groups than in sham controls. Lymphomas were also significantly elevated in exposed animals, and a clear dose-response was absent.

Outcomes measured

• Tumor numbers (lungs)
• Tumor numbers (liver)
• Lymphoma incidence

Limitations

• Sample size not reported in abstract
• RF frequency and other exposure parameters not reported in abstract
• No clear dose-response relationship observed
• Mechanism not established (metabolic changes proposed as a hypothesis)

Suggested hubs

• who-icnirp (0.6)
  Study explicitly discusses exposures below human exposure limits and compares to mobile phone user limits.
• 5g-policy (0.15)
  Mentions exposure limits for mobile phone users, but no 5G/mmWave specifics are provided.

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "other",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": 2,
        "duration": null
    },
    "population": "Carcinogen-treated mice",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Tumor numbers (lungs)",
        "Tumor numbers (liver)",
        "Lymphoma incidence"
    ],
    "main_findings": "In a replication study in carcinogen-treated mice exposed at 0 (sham), 0.04, 0.4, and 2 W/kg SAR, numbers of lung and liver tumors were significantly higher in exposed groups than in sham controls. Lymphomas were also significantly elevated in exposed animals, and a clear dose-response was absent.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Sample size not reported in abstract",
        "RF frequency and other exposure parameters not reported in abstract",
        "No clear dose-response relationship observed",
        "Mechanism not established (metabolic changes proposed as a hypothesis)"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "radiofrequency electromagnetic fields",
        "RF-EMF",
        "specific absorption rate",
        "SAR",
        "tumor promotion",
        "carcinogen-treated mice",
        "lung tumors",
        "liver tumors",
        "lymphoma",
        "mobile phones",
        "base stations"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "who-icnirp",
            "weight": 0.59999999999999997779553950749686919152736663818359375,
            "reason": "Study explicitly discusses exposures below human exposure limits and compares to mobile phone user limits."
        },
        {
            "slug": "5g-policy",
            "weight": 0.1499999999999999944488848768742172978818416595458984375,
            "reason": "Mentions exposure limits for mobile phone users, but no 5G/mmWave specifics are provided."
        }
    ]
}

Comments

Log in to comment.

No comments yet.