Abstract

Overview

This study is a continuation of a systematic review assessing the health effects related to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) exposure, with a focus on less-studied cancer outcomes in the general and working population.

Background

The impetus for this review came from the World Health Organization's mission to evaluate health effects from exposure to RF-EMF. The study encompasses a wide array of neoplasms and exposure types, leading to a division of findings across two publications.

Methods

• Inclusion of cohort and case-control studies.
• Focus on three exposure types: wireless phone use, environmental exposure from fixed-site transmitters, and occupational exposures.
• Application of a tailored risk-of-bias assessment tool and data synthesis using REML models.
• Confidence in evidence graded according to the GRADE framework.

Results

• Analysis of 26 articles published between 1988 and 2019 from 10 countries.
• Particular focus on specific cancers such as leukemia, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and thyroid cancer related to mobile phone use; and lymphohematopoietic system tumours and oral cavity/pharynx cancer due to occupational exposure.
• No significant increase in cancer risk associated with RF-EMF exposure from the studied sources.

Conclusions

Despite comprehensive data, the evidence does not demonstrate an increased cancer risk associated with RF-EMF exposure in any of the less common neoplasms explored. The certainty of this evidence varies, generally ranging from low to very low due to biases and the limited number of studies for specific neoplasms.