Abstract

Abstract Overview

Background: Epidemiological studies and research on laboratory animals link radiofrequency radiation (RFR) with impacts on the heart, brain, and other organs. Significant data from large-scale animal studies by the U.S. National Toxicology Program and the Ramazzini Institute indicate a pressing need for updated health-based guidelines for RFR exposure among the general population.

Objectives

The study focused on developing RFR exposure limits based on whole-body Specific Absorption Rate (SAR), which quantifies the energy of RFR absorbed by biological tissues.

Methods

• Employing frequentist and Bayesian averaging modeling of non-neoplastic lesion incidence data from the NTP study,
• Calculating benchmark doses (BMD) that elicited a 10% response above background (BMD10),
• Estimating lower confidence limits on the BMD at 10% extra risk (BMDL10).

Findings

Key sensitive health outcomes from RFR exposure at 900 MHz with CDMA and GSM modulations include:

• Cardiomyopathy, particularly in male rats,
• Increased risk of neoplasms in male rats, with specific BMDL10 values calculated for various conditions and modulations.

Conclusion

The selected BMDL10 range of 0.2—0.4 W/kg for cardiomyopathy in male rats became the basis for deriving a more stringent whole-body SAR limit of 2 to 4 mW/kg, considering significant safety factors. This proposed limit is substantially lower than the current legal U.S. standard, highlighting the potential risks of existing regulations. An additional safety factor specifically for children suggests an even lower exposure limit.