The International Collaborative Animal Study of mobile phone radiofrequency radiation carcinogenicity and genotoxicity: the Japanese study

The potential carcinogenic and genotoxic effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields, particularly those emitted by mobile communication systems, have raised public health concerns. A previous study by the U.S. National Toxicology Program suggested increased incidences of gliomas and cardiac schwannomas in rats exposed to high levels of RF radiation. To evaluate these findings, an international collaborative study was initiated between Japan and Korea. Male Hsd:Sprague Dawley SD rats were exposed to 900 MHz CDMA-modulated RF-EMFs at a whole-body specific absorption rate of 4 W/kg for 18 h and 20 min daily over 2 yr. The study included a 28-d preliminary toxicity study, genotoxicity assays (alkaline comet and micronucleus tests), and a 2-yr carcinogenicity assessment. All procedures followed OECD guidelines and Good Laboratory Practice. No statistically significant increases in the incidences of neoplastic or non-neoplastic lesions were found in any major organ, including the brain, heart, and adrenal glands. Genotoxicity assays revealed no evidence of DNA damage or chromosomal aberrations in RF-exposed rats. A higher survival rate in the RF-exposed group, likely due to lower body weight and food consumption, was observed. This study, performed in Japan, jointly planned and executed by Japan and Korea, provides strong evidence that long-term exposure to 900 MHz RF-EMFs did not produce reproducible carcinogenic or genotoxic effects in male rats. Combined with data from the Korean counterpart study, these results are expected to contribute to future international assessments of the carcinogenic potential of electromagnetic radiation.