by K.T. Weaver, SkyVision Solutions; Updated May 27, 2016
According to Microwave News, results of the U.S. National Toxicology Program (NTP) have shown that exposure to radiofrequency (RF) radiation has resulted in statistically significant increases in cancer among male rats. These rats were subjected to whole body exposure from RF signals as used for GSM and CDMA-type cell phones over a period of two years [1].
As reported by Microwave News:
“Discussions are currently underway among federal agencies on how to inform the public about the new findings. NTP senior managers believe that these results should be released as soon as possible because just about everyone is exposed to wireless radiation all the time and therefore everyone is potentially at risk.”
“Importantly, the exposed [male] rats were found to have higher rates of two types of cancers: glioma, a tumor of the glial cells in the brain, and malignant schwannoma of the heart, a very rare tumor. None of the unexposed control rats developed either type of tumor.”
“Because of the importance of these results to public health, the NTP alerted the highest levels of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), where resistance prompted further reviews. No serious flaws in the data or the conduct of the studies were identified.”
“Everyone expected this study to be negative,” said a senior government radiation official, who asked that his name not be used. “Assuming that the exposures were carried out in a way that heating effects can be ruled out, then those who say that such effects found are impossible are wrong,” the official said.
The NTP conducted an extensive study planned over a period of several years. In fact, the study is that largest of its kind on cell phone radiofrequency radiation that has been performed to date. The study targeted not just brain cancer, as many other studies have been targeted, but also other parts of the body [2]. According to information available at the NTP website [3]:
“NTP is conducting studies to help clarify any potential health hazards, including cancer risk, from exposure to cell phone radiation, and to pave the way to better protection for public health.”
“Toxicology and carcinogenicity studies are being carried out in laboratory animals that are designed to simulate the exposures of cell phone users in the U.S.”
“Collectively, these NTP studies will provide critical information regarding the safety of exposure to radiofrequency radiation, and strengthen the science base for determining any potential health effects in humans. These data could contribute to information used by the federal government, including the FDA, in making decisions with respect to radiofrequency radiation health issues consistent with the protection of public health and safety. The studies may also be used by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), who regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable.”
Over the past three years I have written several articles highlighting published findings that RF radiation was likely a cancer causing agent as well as an agent that degrades overall health for both humans and wildlife, such as the following:
- Radiofrequency (RF) Fields: Possibly, Probably, or Definitely Carcinogenic — The Evidence Mounts Toward the Latter. [4]
- RF Fields Promote Tumors Below Human Exposure Limits [5]
- Scientists Submit Appeal for Protection from EMF Exposures and Wireless Technologies [6]
- Study Suggests Wireless Devices Linked to Many Health Risks [7]
- U.S. Department of Interior Declares FCC Exposure Standards “Out of Date and Inapplicable” [8]
Based upon the available evidence, a precautionary approach is certainly warranted regarding exposure to RF radiation. Unfortunately, government officials and industry executives have adhered to what is called a “thermal paradigm,” proclaiming that RF radiation can’t hurt you unless it causes a physical burn or shock.
The proclivity for agencies such as the World Health Organization (WHO) to dismiss concerns over RF radiation exposure was effectively demonstrated in the 2014 documentary film “Microwaves, Science, and Lies,” highlighted at this website with exclusive content, at “Microwaves, Science and Lies” Documentary Reveals a Product Defense Strategy [9]. In that film it was shown that, for example, the WHO downplayed its own agency’s 2011 declaration that radiofrequency fields are possibly carcinogenic.
As reported by Microwave News, the U.S. Government is expected to soon advise the public of the health risk related to RF radiation exposure. We can be sure that the telecommunications’ industry will dispute the NTP findings as part of a “product defense” strategy.
Updated May 27, 2016:
From the Wall Street Journal:
Cellphone-Cancer Link Found in Government Study
Multiyear, peer-reviewed study found ‘low incidences’ of two types of tumors in male rats exposed to type of radio frequencies commonly emitted by cellphones
A major U.S. government study on rats has found a link between cellphones and cancer, an explosive finding in the long-running debate about whether mobile phones cause health effects. …
“Where people were saying there’s no risk, I think this ends that kind of statement,” said Ron Melnick, who ran the NTP project until retiring in 2009 and recently reviewed the study’s results.
More at: http://www.wsj.com/articles/cellphone-cancer-link-found-in-government-study-1464324146; also see http://web.archive.org/web/20160602051316/http://www.wsj.com/articles/cellphone-cancer-link-found-in-government-study-1464324146
A copy of the NTP findings is now available for download at the following link:
http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2016/05/26/055699
Below is an excerpt.
Report of Partial Findings from the National Toxicology Program
Carcinogenesis Studies of Cell Phone Radiofrequency Radiation in
Hsd: Sprague Dawley® SD rats (Whole Body Exposures)
Michael Wyde, Mark Cesta, Chad Blystone, Susan Elmore, Paul Foster, Michelle Hooth, Grace Kissling, David Malarkey, Robert Sills, Matthew Stout, Nigel Walker, Kristine Witt, Mary Wolfe, John Bucher
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1101/055699
History: May 26, 2016.
Draft 5-19-2016
SUMMARY
The purpose of this communication is to report partial findings from a series of radiofrequency radiation (RFR) cancer studies in rats performed under the auspices of the U.S. National Toxicology Program (NTP). This report contains peer-reviewed, neoplastic and hyperplastic findings only in the brain and heart of Hsd:Sprague Dawley® SD® (HSD) rats exposed to RFR starting in utero and continuing throughout their lifetimes. These studies found low incidences of malignant gliomas in the brain and schwannomas in the heart of male rats exposed to RFR of the two types [Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) and Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM)] currently used in U.S. wireless networks. Potentially preneoplastic lesions were also observed in the brain and heart of male rats exposed to RFR.
The review of partial study data in this report has been prompted by several factors. Given the widespread global usage of mobile communications among users of all ages, even a very small increase in the incidence of disease resulting from exposure to RFR could have broad implications for public health. There is a high level of public and media interest regarding the safety of cell phone RFR and the specific results of these NTP studies.
Lastly, the tumors in the brain and heart observed at low incidence in male rats exposed to GSM- and CDMA-modulated cell phone RFR in this study are of a type similar to tumors observed in some epidemiology studies of cell phone use. These findings appear to support the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) conclusions regarding the possible carcinogenic potential of RFR. [emphasis added]
It is important to note that this document reviews only the findings from the brain and heart and is not a complete report of all findings from the NTP’s studies. Additional data from these studies in Hsd:Sprague Dawley® SD® (Harlan) rats and similar studies conducted in B6C3F1/N mice are currently under evaluation and will be reported together with the current findings in two forthcoming NTP Technical Reports.
CONCLUSIONS
Under the conditions of these 2-year studies, the hyperplastic lesions and glial cell neoplasms of the heart and brain observed in male rats are considered likely the result of whole-body exposures to GSM- or CDMA-modulated RFR. There is higher confidence in the association between RFR exposure and the neoplastic lesions in the heart than in the brain. No biologically significant effects were observed in the brain or heart of female rats regardless of modulation.
NEXT STEPS
The results reported here are limited to select findings of concern in the brain and heart and do not represent a complete reporting of all findings from these studies of cell phone RFR. The complete results for all NTP studies on the toxicity and carcinogenicity of GSM and CDMA-modulated RFR are currently being reviewed and evaluated according to the established NTP process and will be reported together with the current findings in two forthcoming NTP Technical Reports. Given the large scale and scope of these studies, completion of this process is anticipated by fall 2017, and the draft NTP Technical Reports are expected to be available for peer review and public comment by the end of 2017. We anticipate that the results from a series of initial studies investigating the tolerance to various power levels of RFR, including measurements of body temperatures in both sexes of young and old rats and mice and in pregnant female rats, will be published in the peer-reviewed literature later in 2016.
References for this Article
[1] “Cell Phone Radiation Boosts Cancer Rates in Animals: $25 Million NTP Study Finds Brain Tumors,” May 25, 2016, at http://microwavenews.com/news-center/ntp-cancer-results
[2] “NTP Speaks about Cell Phone Radiation,” at http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/newsroom/interviews/cellphones/index.cfm
[3] “Cell Phone Radiofrequency Radiation Studies,” National Toxicology Program (NTP), at http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/assets/docs_a_e/cell_phone_radiofrequency_radiation_studies_508.pdf
[4] “Radiofrequency (RF) Fields: Possibly, Probably, or Definitely Carcinogenic — The Evidence Mounts Toward the Latter.,” SkyVision Solutions Blog Article, December 2013, at https://smartgridawareness.org/2013/12/04/rf-fields-possibly-probably-or-definitely-carcinogenic/
[5] “RF Fields Promote Tumors Below Human Exposure Limits,“ SkyVision Solutions Blog Article, March 2015, at https://smartgridawareness.org/2015/03/08/rf-fields-promote-tumors-below-human-exposure-limits/
[6] “Scientists Submit Appeal for Protection from EMF Exposures and Wireless Technologies,” SkyVision Solutions Blog Article, May 2015, at https://smartgridawareness.org/2015/05/11/scientists-appeal-for-protection-from-emf-exposures/
[7] “Study Suggests Wireless Devices Linked to Many Health Risks,” SkyVision Solutions Blog Article, August 2015, at https://smartgridawareness.org/2015/08/01/wireless-devices-linked-to-many-health-risks/
[8] “U.S. Department of Interior Declares FCC Exposure Standards ‘Out of Date and Inapplicable’,” SkyVision Solutions Blog Article, March 2014, at https://smartgridawareness.org/2014/03/23/can-we-protect-birds-and-people/
[9] “Microwaves, Science and Lies” Documentary Reveals a Product Defense Strategy, SkyVision Solutions Blog Article, August 2014, at https://smartgridawareness.org/2014/08/30/microwaves-science-and-lies-documentary-reveals-a-product-defense-strategy/
Smart Grid Awareness 