Cell Phone Radiation and Cancer Puts FDA and NTP at Odds; Somewhat
​​[Posted on: Thursday, February 8, 2018]

Cell phones emit Radiofrequency Radiations (RFR), a kind of non-ionizing radiations, which have been suspected to causing cancer with frequent use. Last Friday, the National Toxicology Program (NTP) published preliminary results of its two year carcinogenicity study with cell phone radiation that led to a simultaneous news release by FDA trying to play down the impact of the report. The NTP is a program within the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, a part of NIH provides a broad range of toxicological characterizations for chemicals and agents of public health concern. Since more than 95% of US adults use cell phones, even a minor increase in cancers by RFR exposure could translate to large number of patients. NTP conducted a study in rat and mice where the animals were exposed to daily RFR similar to that emitted by cell phones. The RFR was similar to that emitted by 2G and 3G networks, and ranged from the maximum amount that can be emitted by a cell phone to much higher amounts. The animals were exposed for 10 min on and 10 min off cycles of RFR throughout the day in specially designed chambers that exposed the entire body. The results were suspicious but ambiguous. Male rat showed increased tumors, while female rats and mice did not show much negative effect of RFR exposure on incidences of cancer. Female rats that were pregnant produced off-springs with lower weight but the pups grew normally to full size. The results would be considered inconclusive by most reasonable analysis. However, there are a few reasons for concern. The RFR emitted by newer phones that use 4G, 4G LTE and 5G emit higher RFR than the 2G and 3G phones. The newer smart phones are used much more frequently, almost constantly, compared to the previous 2G and 3G cell phones due to higher network speeds and more functionality. In the NTP experiment, the whole body was exposed due to the small size of the animals but in humans, exposure is more focused on smaller portions of the body such as head, so the localized effect may be different than that seen in small animals. The study used 2 years exposure of a total of 9 hr each day at 10 min cycles. The average cell phone user carries the cell phone around much longer durations and over the life-time increasing overall exposure to higher levels. The FDA statement commented on the ambiguous nature of the NTP study results but did not delve much on the aspects that could concern consumers. Cell phones are such an integral part of our life that any negative comments by FDA would have catastrophic impact. It is hence obvious that FDA tried to play it down. FDA is traditionally a conservative organization; similar findings on another regulated product similar to cell phones used widely for non-serious conditions would have likely doomed the product. The full results of the NTP study will be reviewed by a independent group of scientists, including those from FDA, in March. A final report would likely lead to additional studies by NTP, but for now, FDA says keep using cell phones like you always do.