Effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure on cancer in laboratory animal studies, a systematic review

Authors: Mevissen M, Ducray A, Ward JM, Kopp-Schneider A, McNamee JP, Wood AW, Rivero TM, Straif K

Year: 2025

Category: Toxicology, Environmental Health, Carcinogenesis

Journal: Environment International

DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2025.109482

URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412025002338

Abstract

Overview

More than ten years ago, the World Health Organization's (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) published a monograph concluding there was limited evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Field (RF EMF). This systematic review was conducted to evaluate the effects of RF EMF exposure on cancer in experimental animals, specifically assessing studies like chronic cancer bioassays, initiation-(co-)promotion studies, and studies with tumor-prone animals.

Methods

  • Eligibility: Studies in experimental animals fitting specific chronic bioassay and tumor-promotion criteria were included.
  • Sources: MEDLINE, Science Citation Index Expanded, Emerging Sources Citation Index, and the EMF Portal were utilized.
  • Data Handling: A risk-of-bias (RoB) tool and GRADE approach, adapted for environmental health, were used for assessment. Effect sizes were provided as 1% Bayesian Average benchmark dose (BMD) when applicable.

Findings

  • 52 studies were included, with 20 chronic bioassays.
  • Diverse study designs prevented quantitative meta-analysis, but a narrative approach was employed due to heterogeneity in species, exposure characteristics, and outcomes.
  • Most studies found no or minimal evidence of RF EMF exposure causing cancer in organs such as gastrointestinal, kidney, mammary gland, urinary, endocrine, musculoskeletal, reproductive, and auditory systems.
  • High certainty of evidence (CoE) for increased risk of:
    • Malignant heart schwannomas in male rats
    • Glial cell-derived brain neoplasms (gliomas) in male rats
  • Moderate CoE for increased risk of cancers such as lymphoma, adrenal gland neoplasms (pheochromocytoma), liver tumors (hepatoblastomas), and lung neoplasms.
  • Several findings, i.e., heart schwannomas and gliomas, align with evidence previously considered in humans by IARC.

Conclusion

This systematic review demonstrates that RF EMF exposure increases the incidence of cancer in laboratory animals, with the strongest evidence for heart schwannomas and gliomas. These findings strengthen the association between RF EMF exposure and cancer, also seen in limited human evidence. However, translating animal study results to human risk assessment remains complex, particularly due to uncertainties in exposure metrics and mechanisms of carcinogenicity.

Other Notables

  • This review was partially funded by the WHO radioprotection programme.
  • The review protocol was registered under Prospero reg. no. CRD42021265563.

🟢 There is a direct connection between RF EMF exposure and increased cancer risk in experimental animals, emphasizing the need for continued evaluation in human studies and a precautionary approach to EMF exposure.

RF EMF cancer animal studies carcinogenicity systematic review schwannoma glioma
← Back to Stats