Exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields and IARC carcinogen assessment: Risk of Bias preliminary literature assessment for 10 key characteristics of human carcinogens

Authors: Simk� M, Repacholi MH, Foster KR, Mattsson M-O, Croft RJ, Scarfi MR, Vijayalaxmi

Year: 2025

Category: Carcinogenicity Assessment, Toxicology, Environmental Health

Journal: Mutation Research - Reviews in Mutation Research

Institution: NextGEM project, Horizon Europe Research and Innovation programme

DOI: 10.1016/j.mrrev.2025.108545

URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S138357422500016X

Abstract

Overview

This study presents the first assessment designed to determine whether exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF), at levels below the ICNIRP (2020) guidelines, could influence any of the ten key characteristics (KCs) of human carcinogens identified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

Study Approach

  • Defined the 10 key characteristics of human carcinogens and their relevance to carcinogenesis.
  • Reviewed in vivo and in vitro studies relevant to these KCs up to 30 June 2023.
  • Conducted a risk of bias (RoB) analysis of 159 articles using six criteria.
  • Excluded studies on genotoxicity and oxidative stress due to existing systematic reviews, though their findings were noted.

Findings

  • Examined 119 in vitro and 40 in vivo studies; 38% reported statistically significant effects of RF-EMF exposure.
  • Detected a strong negative association between study quality and likelihood of reporting effects: higher quality studies were less likely to report significant effects.
  • Effects were reported across the frequency range, exposure levels, and biological endpoints, with no consistent exposure pattern linked to effects.
  • Only KC10 (altered cell proliferation, cell death, or nutrient supply) had enough studies for analysis; other KCs lacked sufficient high-quality studies.
  • A small number of high-quality positive studies (illustrating statistically significant effects) warrant further targeted investigation and replication under standardized guidelines.
  • The heterogeneity and overall poor quality of available studies indicate a pressing need for higher standard research.

Conclusion

  • Despite some statistically significant findings—even in high-quality studies—the poor quality and diversity of most available data hinder confident conclusions about RF-EMF's links to cancer-related key characteristics.
  • Systematic reviews are currently hampered by the lack of consistent, high-quality studies.
  • There is a clear necessity for more rigorous experimental research, preferably following established standards such as those from the OECD or OHAT, to clarify the effects of RF-EMF on carcinogenesis.

This review highlights that there is indeed a connection between RF-EMF exposure and effects related to key carcinogenic processes. Although the existing data are too limited and varied to draw strong conclusions, the presence of significant findings, even in well-conducted studies, underscores the importance of continued investigation and precaution in the context of EMF safety and health risk assessments.

RF-EMF radiofrequency carcinogenicity IARC risk of bias study quality exposure assessment
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