A recent review conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) has found no evidence linking mobile phone use to an increased risk of brain cancer. The review included research from 22 different countries and found no connection between mobile phone use, workplace radio frequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) equipment, cell towers, and brain and pituitary cancers or leukemia in adults or children. This contradicts the previous rating of mobile phones as “possibly carcinogenic” by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
The WHO review conducted a meta-analysis of 63 articles published in various countries between 1994 and 2022. Each study investigated the health effects of exposure to RF-EMF emitted by mobile phones and other devices. The review found no correlation between mobile phone use and an increased risk of gliomas, meningiomas, acoustic neuromas, pituitary and salivary cancers, or leukemia. Mobile phones transmit low-powered RF-EMF through fixed antennas like cell towers, which the review suggests are benign and do not cause harm to our bodies or DNA.
The review also found no evidence linking exposure to fixed-site RF-EMF transmitters, such as broadcasting antennas or cell phone towers, to childhood leukemia or pediatric brain tumors. Workplace RF-EMF transmitters were not associated with an increased risk of gliomas. However, the quality of the conclusions drawn by the studies included in the review was described as low-to-moderate certainty due to the nature of observational studies in human populations.
The lead author of the review emphasized the importance of ongoing research to ensure the safety of radio wave exposure from evolving technologies. While randomized clinical trials are considered the best form of evidence, it is not ethical to expose humans to potential health hazards. The review’s call for further research aligns with the IARC’s rating of mobile phones as “possibly carcinogenic,” indicating a need for continued monitoring and evaluation of potential risks associated with RF-EMF exposure.
Although older studies raised concerns about the potential risk of brain cancer associated with RF-EMF exposure, more recent meta-analyses with larger cohorts of patients have not supported these findings. Workplace exposure to RF-EMF from various equipment, such as MRI machines, heating systems, microwaves, and telecommunication transmitters, has also been studied. While occupational exposure levels may sometimes be higher, most studies have not found any increased risk of brain cancer or other neoplasms associated with such exposure. Continued research and monitoring are essential to address any potential health impacts and minimize exposure risks.
