Have you heard that cell phones cause cancer, then they don’t, then they do? Confused enough yet? Let me break it down for you. Contrary to some claims, the new US government study by the National Toxicology Program (NTP) is hardly a shot in the dark or a one-off event. With this largest best-conducted animal study, we now have three different studies within the past six years where animals develop some of the same cancers from cell phone radiation as people. In the NTP study, male rats exposed to wireless radiation develop more unusual highly malignant brain tumors—gliomas—as well as very rare tumors of the nerves around and within the heart—schwannomas.
Rodent studies are the gold standard for testing chemicals. In fact, as the American Cancer Society notes, the NTP study comes from a world-renowned test program that involved twice the usual number of animals and triple the typical number of independent reviews of the pathology data. The NTP review process included blinded evaluations by statisticians and pathologists who did not even know the name of the ‘test agent’ they were examining.
An op-ed from the New York Times by pediatrician Aaron Carroll questions the relevance of these animal studies for humans. Chairman of Pediatrics at Hadassah Hospital Jerusalem, Dr. Eitan Kerem, does not agree, stating that “Such findings [of cancers in a test drug] in the pharma industry may prevent further developing of a drug until safety is proven, and until the findings of this study are confirmed parents should be aware of the potential hazards of carcinogenic potential of radiofrequency radiation.”
Prof. Eitan appreciates that every agent known to cause cancer in people, also produces it in animals when well studied. More recently, studies have found significant brain changes in cell-phone exposed Zebra fish which also share important properties with humans. If we fail to heed these studies and insist on more human data, we become the bodies of evidence.
Not a single one of the NTP rat controls developed these rare brain cancers or schwannomas of the heart. Yes it is true that historical controls used in other studies have had a few brain cancers, so why should we not compare these results with that? In scientific research, we take great care to subject controls and exposed animals to the same housing, light, food, water supply, cage rotation, etc. This NTP study placed all animals in a complex reverberation chamber that existed within a metal barrier that blocked all forms of electromagnetic radiation from entering—a Farraday cage. Thus it is entirely plausible that electromagnetic exposures from wiring, ceiling fans, HVAC, or even technicians with phones in their pockets, could have affected control animals in those older studies causing this rare brain tumor and the handful of schwannomas of the heart found in the past in other controls. The fact that not a single one of the controls in this study developed these rare tumors tells us a great deal.
Why then, did brain tumors occur only in male rats? The sexes differ not only in hormones but in the ways that their DNA deals with poisons. In fact, rare precancerous abnormalities in the brain and heart were also reported in both sexes in the NTP study. For many cancer-causing agents, tumors are more common in males than in females—although in this instance, both males and females had significantly more cardiac abnormalities, pre-cancerous lesions, and malignant nerve tumors within and around their hearts.
Wait a minute. Some have claimed that these results are not a true positive, but a false one, that is to say—a false finding that wireless radiation increases cancer. By design, this study had a 97% chance of finding a true positive. Using a relatively small number of animals to study a very rare outcome, this study in fact, had a far greater chance of a falsely negative finding than of a falsely positive result.
Why then does the public know so little about the how cell phones and wireless technology impact our health? In 1994, findings that such radiation could prove a risk spawned an unusual and little-known sport—that of “war-games”—outlined in a memo from Motorola to their PR firm. That year when University of Washington scientists, Henry Lai and V.J. Singh, first showed that radiofrequency radiation (RFR) damaged brain cells in rats, they were subject to well-funded coordinated efforts to discredit their findings, their livelihood, and their integrity. Their university was asked to fire them and the journal editor where their work had been accepted was pressured to un-accept it. Similar disinformation efforts confronted the REFLEX project in 2004—a $15 million European Union multi-lab effort—after it also determined that cellphone radiation caused biological impacts on the brain.
Another paper from the NTP finding genotoxic impacts of wireless radiation is under peer-review at this time. The capacity of this radiation to open membranes is so well established that a number of technologies have been FDA approved to treat cancer relying on electroceuticals that use electromagnetic radiation at various powers, waveforms, and frequencies.
If ever there was a time to re-think our growing dependence on wireless in schools, cars, homes, and energy production, this is it. There is no other suspected cancer-causing agent to which we subject our elementary school students or place directly in front of the brain and eyes with virtual reality. It makes no sense to continue building out huge wireless systems until we have done a better job of putting the pieces of this puzzle together. This latest report from the NTP should give us all pause.
Belgium has banned cell phones for children. Over a dozen countries are curtailing wireless radiation especially for children. Reducing exposures will increase battery life, decrease demand for energy, and lower health risks. Concerted steps to reduce wireless radiation such as those recommended by the Israeli National Center for Non-Ionizing Radiation, France, the Indian Ministry of Health, and the Belgian government are in order now.
Governments have a moral obligation to protect citizens against risks that cannot otherwise be controlled. The epidemics of lung cancer today are evidence we waited far too long to control tobacco. To insist on proof of human harm now before taking steps to prevent future damage places all of us into an experiment without our consent, violating the Nuremberg Code.
Featured image credit: Cell phone in hands by Karolina Grabowska.STAFFAGE. CC0 public domain via Pexels.
At the end of the 2-year study, survival was lower in the control group of males than in all
2 groups of male rats exposed to GSM-modulated RFR. Survival was also slightly lower in control
3 females than in females exposed to 1.5 or 6 W/kg GSM-modulated RFR. In rats exposed to
4 CDMA-modulated RFR, survival was higher in all groups of exposed males and in the 6 W/kg
5 females compared to controls.
6
Huh? RF make ya’ live longer if your male?
Paper does not give significance of this finding!
Right. Let’s wait till we find out for sure in a number of years (assuming the industry and government doesn’t continue to discredit every single finding) that cell phone and wireless radiation has been seriously contributing to chronic disease and killing millions, then we’ll decide to … wait a minute, didn’t governments in North America agree to pass laws forbidding local governments from stepping in and stopping the construction of cell phone towers based on health concerns or environmental concerns? Ya, we’re in good hands!
So it has an effect on the cells of mammals. It is not something you can just ignore. We can continue to be the lab rats until a new study concludes in the future. How sad it is!
Also, the incidence of right ventricle degeneration was significantly increased in all exposure groups except the 1.5 W/kg groups of female rats.
This information was shared during the press conference.
The NTP tested the hypothesis that cell phone radiation could not cause health effects at non- thermal levels and that hypothesis has now been disproved. The study results clearly show that cell phone and wireless radiation can cause adverse health effects. It is time for public health agencies to protect the public.
I’ll ignore it for say, $17M per year, with bonuses!
Why then does the public know so little about the how cell phones and wireless technology impact our health? In 1994, findings that such radiation could prove a risk spawned an unusual and little-known sport—that of “war-games”—outlined in a memo from Motorola to their PR firm.
This is a wake-up call to everyone who can’t live without holding their phones. I admit I am one of them. How can humans avoid this, anyways?
This report is utterly terrifying!
This is really good for everyone .
So it has an effect on the cells of mammals. It is not something you can just ignore. We can continue to be the lab rats until a new study concludes in the future. How sad it is!
This is only good for those who are well-versed with the industry because the rest will be practically fodder.
I hope everyone gets this. People nowadays would take more time on their phone rather than on more important things. Some can’t even live thinking about mobile phones not being there.
I hope this article reaches everyone. Thanks so much for sharing this, this is really informative and yes, indeed, a wakeup call.
Cell phones are currently used by 95% of American adults. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) nominated radio frequency radiation (RFR) used by cell phones for an NTP study because of widespread public use of cell phones and limited knowledge about potential health effects from long-term exposure.
Yeah I know, Cell Phone radiation really causes lot of problem for the human body. you explanation is quite good.
This is a wake-up call to everyone who can’t live without holding their phones. I admit I am one of them. How can humans avoid this, anyways?
With respect to cancer, concern focuses on whether cell phones might increase the risk of brain tumors or other tumors in the head and neck area.
This is something really worrying and we should do something about it. Our choice will bear fruits, if not bad then good.
Does this risk only applies to cellphones? How about the computer?
Really troubling news but I am glad that you shared it.
This is very intriguing information. A terrifying side of cellphones. We need precautions and warnings for every cellphone user.
That’s why we need moderation of how we used our phones.
A lot of caution has been said and posted on the media for information about over using of mobile phones.:)
Very interesting and informative article.
I wish we can help moderate the usage of mobile phones with our kids.
At least fewer people are holding cell phones up their ears with the increase in text communication. This is concerning however especially when young kids all have phones now.
Wow this is some pretty life changing info!
Ignore all, the mobile phone is still a very useful and almost indispensable device in our lives.
Well, we’re kinda stuck with cell phones.. So we’ll just have to wait and see if there is ever any action taken. This is eye-opening, to say the least.
This is an eye opener to everyone.