8,700 Studies Reviewed. 87.0% Found Biological Effects. The Evidence is Clear.
Shield Your Body
Cancer & Tumors117 citations

2016 NTP Report of Partial Findings (Rats)

Bioeffects Seen

Authors not listed · 2016

View Original Abstract
Share:

Government's most comprehensive cell phone radiation study found brain and heart tumors in male rats exposed to wireless frequencies.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

The U.S. National Toxicology Program conducted lifetime studies exposing rats to cell phone radiation from birth through death. Male rats showed increased rates of brain tumors (malignant gliomas) and heart tumors (schwannomas) when exposed to GSM and CDMA frequencies used in wireless networks. These are the same tumor types found in some human studies of heavy cell phone users.

Why This Matters

This represents the most comprehensive government study of cell phone radiation ever conducted, and the findings are deeply concerning. The NTP used radiation levels similar to what your phone emits, applied over the animals' entire lifetimes starting in the womb. The fact that they found the exact same rare tumor types that epidemiological studies have linked to heavy cell phone use in humans cannot be dismissed as coincidence. What makes this particularly significant is that these are the gold-standard animal studies that regulatory agencies rely on for safety determinations. The industry has spent decades claiming there's no biological mechanism for harm from non-ionizing radiation, yet here we have clear evidence of cancer causation. The NTP felt these findings were so important they broke their own protocol to release partial results early, citing the 'broad implications for public health' given the widespread use of wireless devices.

Exposure Information

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.

Cite This Study
Unknown (2016). 2016 NTP Report of Partial Findings (Rats).
Show BibTeX
@article{2016_ntp_report_of_partial_findings_rats_ce4642,
  author = {Unknown},
  title = {2016 NTP Report of Partial Findings (Rats)},
  year = {2016},
  doi = {10.1101/055699},
  url = {https://www.biorxiv.org/content/early/2016/06/23/055699},
}
DOI: 10.1101/055699

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, the National Toxicology Program found increased rates of malignant brain tumors (gliomas) and heart tumors (schwannomas) in male rats exposed to GSM and CDMA cell phone frequencies throughout their lifetimes starting before birth.
The NTP broke protocol to release early findings because of widespread global cell phone use, high public interest, and concern that even small increases in cancer risk could have major public health implications given billions of users worldwide.
Yes, the brain gliomas and heart schwannomas found in male rats are the same rare tumor types that some epidemiological studies have linked to heavy cell phone use in humans, strengthening the evidence for potential harm.
The study used GSM and CDMA modulated radiofrequency radiation at the specific frequencies and modulations currently used in U.S. wireless telecommunications networks, making the findings directly relevant to everyday cell phone exposure.
This partial report focused only on findings in male rats. The NTP noted that additional data from both male and female rats, as well as studies in mice, are still under evaluation for future reports.