The carcinogenic potential of non-ionizing radiations: The cases of S-50Hz MF and 1.8GHz GSM radiofrequency radiation.

Abstract

Epidemiological studies have suggested that human exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields from the electric power and to mobile phone radiofrequency electromagnetic fields induce an increased risk of developing malignant tumours. However, no adequate laboratory data, in particular long-term carcinogenicity bioassays to support the epidemiological evidence, have yet been available. This motivated the Ramazzini Institute to embark on a first project of four large life-span carcinogenic bioassays conducted on over 7000 Sprague Dawley rats exposed from prenatal life until natural death to S-50Hz MF alone or combined with gamma radiation or formaldehyde or aflatoxin B1. Results now available from these studies, which started concurrently, have shown that exposure to Sinusoidal-50Hz Magnetic Field (S-50Hz MF) combined with acute exposure to gamma radiation or to chronic administration of formaldehyde in drinking water induces a significantly increased incidence of malignant tumours in males and females. A second project of two large life-span carcinogenic bioassays was conducted on over 3000 Sprague Dawley rats exposed from prenatal life until natural death to 1.8GHz GSM of mobile phone radio base station, alone or combined with acute exposure to gamma radiation. Early results from the experiment on 1.8GHz GSM alone show a statistically significant increase in the incidence of heart malignant schwannoma among males exposed at the highest dose.