Cell phone, cell towers, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth all use wireless frequencies to transmit data. Hundreds of studies have been published clearly documenting that this type of wireless radiation can cause harm.
European Parliament requested a research report “Health Impact of 5G” released in July 2021 concluding that commonly used RFR frequencies (450 to 6000 MHz) are probably carcinogenic for humans and clearly affect male fertility with possible adverse effects on the development of embryos, fetuses and newborns.
In 2011, radio-frequency radiation was classified as a Class 2B possible carcinogen by the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer. This classification applies to RF regardless of the source. Today, several scientists are of the opinion that the weight of current peer-reviewed evidence supports the upgraded conclusion that radiofrequency radiation should now be regarded as a human carcinogen. See Cancer epidemiology update, following the 2011 IARC evaluation of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (Monograph 102) published by Miller et al (2018) and Evaluation of Mobile Phone and Cordless Phone Use and Glioma Risk Using the Bradford Hill Viewpoints from 1965 on Association or Causation by Hardell and Carlberg (2017).
In 2018, the U.S. National Toxicology Program (NTP)issued a final report on their $30 M animal studies finding that long term cell phone radiofrequency radiation exposure (two years) was associated with “clear evidence” of two types of cancers in male rats, the same cancer types found in studies of people who heavily use cell phones up their head. In addition, the NTP’s genotoxicity studies found “significant increases in DNA damage” in groups of mice and rats after just 14 to 19 weeks of exposure.
In 2018, the Ramazzini Institute published their findings that rats exposed to levels of RFR at levels set to mimic cell tower radiation exposures developed the same types of cancerous cancers as the US National Toxicology Program found in their animal studies.
The Environmental Working Group published a study in Environmental Health entitled “Development of health-based exposure limits for radiofrequency radiation from wireless devices using a benchmark dose approach” analyzing the findings of tumor and heart damage from the National Toxicology Program study and concluded that FCC limits should be strengthened by 200 to 400 times to protect children according to current risk assessment guidelines.
Yale researchers published a study supported by the American Cancer Society linking thyroid cancer to cell phone use in people with a type of common genetic variation.
The Switzerland Institute of the Environment expert published a research review finding increased oxidative stress in the majority of animal studies and cell studies even from exposures within regulatory limits.
A 2018 study simulating the RF radiation exposure from virtual reality found a child’s eyes and brain regions can absorb between 2 to 5 times higher levels than an adult. Absorption of wireless radiation in the child versus adult brain and eye from cell phone conversation or virtual reality by Fernández et al was published in the journal Environmental Research in 2018.
A scientific literature review on cell towers base station antennas and human health published in Environmental Research by Alfonzo Balmori documented that the majority of studies found associations with radiofrequency sickness, cancer and changes in biochemical parameters.
A review paper entitled “Limiting liability with positioning to minimize negative health effects of cellular phone towers” by Pearce (2020) reviewed the “large and growing body of evidence that human exposure to RFR from cellular phone base stations causes negative health effects.” The authors recommend restricting antennas near home and within 500 meters of schools and hospitals to protect companies from future liability.
A landmark three part 2021 research review on effects to wildlife “Effects of non-ionizing electromagnetic fields on flora and fauna” published in Reviews on Environmental Health by U.S experts including former U.S. Fish and Wildlife senior biologist Albert Manville states current science should trigger urgent regulatory action citing more than 1,200 scientific references which found adverse biological effects to wildlife from even very low intensities of non ionizing radiation with findings of impacts to orientation and migration, reproduction, mating, nest, den building and survivorship.
Expert scientists with specialties in electromagnetic and biological hazards have repeatedly issued appeals to reduce exposures recognizing the ever growing evidence of nonthermal effects. The International Scientists Appeal to the U.N. to Protect Humans and Wildlife from Electromagnetic Fields and Wireless Technology (emfscientist.org) was launched in 2015 and as of 2023 had been signed by 257 scientists from 44 nations, all of whom have published research in the field. It states:
Numerous recent scientific publications have shown that EMF affects living organisms at levels well below most international and national guidelines. Effects include increased cancer risk, cellular stress, increase in harmful free radicals, genetic damages, structural and functional changes of the reproductive system, learning and memory deficits, neurological disorders, and negative impacts on general well-being in humans. Damage goes well beyond the human race, as there is growing evidence of harmful effects to both plant and animal life.
They have issued the following specific requests:
- Protect children and pregnant women.
- Strengthen guidelines and regulatory standards.
- Encourage manufacturers to develop safer technology.
- Require utilities responsible for the generation, transmission, distribution, and monitoring of electricity to maintain adequate power quality and ensure proper electrical wiring to minimize harmful ground currents.
- Inform the public of the potential health risks from electromagnetic energy and teach harm reduction strategies.
- Educate medical professionals about the biological effects of electromagnetic energy and train them on diagnosis and treatment of patients with electromagnetic sensitivity.
- Mandate industry cooperation with researchers and encourage governments to fund independent studies for training and research on electromagnetic fields and health.
- Require media to disclose experts’ financial relationships with industry when citing their opinions regarding health and safety aspects of EMF-emitting technologies.
- Establish radiation-free safe zones.
In 2017, Dr. Lennart Hardell launched the 5G Appeal (www.5gappeal.eu) calling for the European Union to halt the roll out of 5G. Signed by more than 430 scientists and doctors, that document declares::
Scientists and doctors call for a moratorium on the roll-out of 5G. 5G will substantially increase exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields, RF-EMF, that has been proven to be harmful for humans and the environment.
Numerous other international groups have issued similar appeals. As just one example, in 2018 the International Society of Doctors for the Environment issued at position on 5G stating:
Evidence is growing that exposure to frequencies over 30GHz — planned for 5G — could alter gene expression, increase the temperature of the skin, stimulate cell proliferation, alter the functions of cell membrane, and neuro-muscular systems, and are able to modulate the synthesis of proteins involved in inflammatory and immunologic processes, with possible systemic effects.
