The need for consensus guidelines to address the mixed legacy of genetic damage assessments for radiofrequency fields

Abstract

Overview

This review examines over 300 studies conducted in the past thirty years, assessing the genotoxic effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) on human and animal tissues. It critically evaluates the development of consensus guidelines for genotoxicity testing, highlighting an increased focus on systematic reviews for effectively using scientific studies in health risk assessments.

Key Findings

• The majority of the studies did not report statistically significant genotoxic effects of RF-EMF exposure.
• A notable minority of largely in vivo studies identified statistically significant effects, questioning the reliability of these findings due to varying study quality.
• None of the studies completely adhered to current guidelines such as those provided by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
• Studies evaluated using Risk of Bias (RoB) criteria indicate that higher quality studies are less likely to report significant results compared to those of lower quality.

Conclusion

The research emphasizes that statistical significance alone should not be a determinant in evaluating bioeffects studies. The authors advocate for robust synthesis of evidence, assessing study validity, and the biological significance of reported effects, to align closely with other related studies. For future studies and reviews, compliance with OECD or similar quality guidelines is recommended to enhance reliability and usefulness in health risk assessments.