The Contribution of In Vivo Mammalian Studies to the Knowledge of Adverse Effects of Radiofrequency Radiation on Human Health

Abstract

The proliferation of cellular antennas and other radiofrequency radiation (RFR) generating devices of the last decades has led to more and more concerns about the potential health effects from RFR exposure. Since the 2011 classification as a possible carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), more experimental studies have been published that support a causal association between RFR exposure and health hazards. As regard cancer risk, two long-term experimental studies have been recently published by the US National Toxicology Program (NTP) and the Italian Ramazzini Institute (RI). Despite important experimental differences, both studies found statistically significant increases in the development of the same type of very rare glial malignant tumors. In addition to carcinogenicity, reproductive organs might be particularly exposed, as well as sensitive to RFR. In this work, we reviewed the currently available evidence from in vivo studies on carcinogenicity and reproductive toxicity studies in order to summarize the contribution of experimental research to the prevention of the adverse effects of RFR on human health.

Development of health-based exposure limits for radiofrequency radiation from wireless devices using a benchmark dose approach

“…While the use of ten-fold safety factors is an established risk assessment practice in the U.S. and other countries, it is possible that these standard factors either underestimate or overestimate the extent of variability in sensitivity within the human population. Even with the outstanding questions, the NTP and the Ramazzini Institute data on the RFR effects in laboratory animals are a valuable resource for the development of health-based guidelines for RFR exposures in people [ 41 , 42 ].…”

“…The challenge of ascertaining the length, frequency, and intensity of wireless device use and continuously changing communication technologies make it difficult to develop a precise exposure metric from epidemiological research. Recent studies of RFR in laboratory animals provide much-needed information on the specific RFR exposure levels associated with elevated risks of adverse health effects [ 41 ]. The results from two long-term, large-scale studies of RFR in laboratory rodents, the study from the U.S. National Toxicology Program (NTP) [ 42 ] and the study from the Ramazzini Institute in Italy [ 7 , 43 ], are especially informative.…”

Special Issue: “Electric, Magnetic, and Electromagnetic Fields in Biology and Medicine: From Mechanisms to Biomedical Applications”

“…Vornoli et al [10] reviewed the currently available evidence from in vivo studies on carcinogenicity and reproductive toxicity studies in order to summarize the contribution of experimental research to the prevention of the adverse effects of RF radiation on human health.…”

Architecting functionalized carbon microtube/carrollite nanocomposite demonstrating significant microwave characteristics

“…The benefits of microwave absorbing materials are clear to anyone caring about his/her health against the harmful electromagnetic waves, emitted from the electronic devices surrounding us in our inescapable mechanical life. The carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity, genotoxicity, brain tissue injury, neurological damage, and other health hazards associated with microwave have been reported, originated from the human exposure to radiofrequency radiation, known as non-ionizing radiation (30 kHz–300 GHz), which threaten human and any living species 1 – 6 . Accordingly, microwave absorbing materials have been the hotspot owing to their significant importance in the healthcare, industrial, and military fields.…”