Carcinogenicity of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields
The Lancet Oncology (2011-06-22)In May, 2011, 30 scientists from 14 countries met at the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in Lyon, France, to assess the carcinogenicity of radiofrequency electromagnetic fi elds (RF-EMF). Holding a mobile phone to the ear to make a voice call can result in high specifi c RF energy absorption-rate (SAR) values in the brain, depending on the design and position of the phone and its antenna in relation to the head, how the phone is held, the anatomy of the head, and the quality of the link between the base station and phone. When used by children, the average RF energy deposition is two times higher in the brain and up to ten times higher in the bone marrow of the skull, compared with mobile phone use by adults.2 Use of hands-free kits lowers exposure to the brain to below 10% of the exposure from use at the ear, but it might increase exposure to other parts of the body.3 Epidemiological evidence for an association between RF-EMF and cancer comes from cohort, casecontrol, and time-trend studies. The populations in these studies were exposed to RF-EMF in occupational settings, from sources in the general environment, and from use of wireless (mobile and cordless) telephones, which is the most extensively studied exposure source. In view of the limited evidence in humans and in experimental animals, the Working Group classifi ed RFEMF as “possibly carcinogenic to humans” (Group 2B). This evaluation was supported by a large majority of Working Group members.