CELL PHONES DON’T CAUSE CANCER, RAT STUDY FINDS

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CELL PHONES DON’T CAUSE CANCER, RAT STUDY FINDS
25 June 2002 - Washington University in St Louis

Radiation from cell phones doesn’t appear to cause cancer in rats, according to a study by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. The research team exposed rats to the two most common types of cell phone radiation for four hours a day, five days a week for two years.

“We tried to mimic a high level of exposure that humans might experience,” says study leader Joseph L. Roti Roti, Ph.D., professor of radiation oncology, of biochemistry and molecular biophysics and of cell biology and physiology. “We found no statistically significant increases in any tumor type, including brain, liver, lung or kidney, compared to the control group.”

For more than a decade, a public debate has asked whether cell phone radiation causes cancer, particularly brain cancer. Roti Roti’s long-term, industry-funded study was undertaken to address that question. The research examined whether chronic exposure to radio frequency radiation at two common cell phone signals, 835.62 megahertz, a frequency used by analogue cell phones, and 847.74 megahertz, a frequency used by digital cell phones, caused brain tumors in rats.

The study used 480 male and female rats. One third of the animals were exposed to the analogue cell phone frequency, one-third to the digital frequency and one-third served as controls and received no radiation.

After two years and a total of 505 days of exposure, the brain, spinal cord and other organs from each animal were studied microscopically for signs of cancer.

“We looked specifically for brain and spinal cord tumors,” says Marie C. La Regina, D.V.M., a veterinary pathologist with the University’s Division of Comparative Medicine and the lead author on the study. “We examined 20 to 25 sections from each brain microscopically, which is more than is usually done when studying potential cancer-causing agents. We didn’t want to miss anything.”

The investigators also looked for tumors in nearly 30 other tissues, as well. They found no statistically significant increases in any tumor type. They also found no differences in weight or life span between exposed and control animals.

This study builds on research begun by Roti Roti in 1995. In his earlier work, he exposed laboratory-grown cells to cell phone radiation and then studied the cells for genetic damage, gene expression and neoplastic transformation. Those experiments also showed no effect from the exposure.

“As far as I can tell from the work so far,” says Roti Roti, “the greatest hazard with cell-phones is driving a car while talking on one.”

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About: Washington University in St Louis
Washington University in St. Louis is a medium-sized, independent research university dedicated to challenging its faculty and students alike to seek new knowledge and greater understanding of an ever-changing, multicultural world. The university is counted among the world's leaders in teaching and research and draws students and faculty to St. Louis from all 50 states and more than 90 other nations. With 6,509 undergraduates and 5,579 graduate and professional students, as well as 1,384 part-time students, Washington University offers more than 90 programs and nearly 1,500 courses in a broad spectrum of traditional and interdisciplinary majors.

Founded in 1853 by St. Louisans, Washington University is highly regarded for its commitment to excellence in learning. Its programs, administration, facilities, resources, and activities combine to further its mission of teaching, research, and service to society.

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