Department of Health and Human Services. 384 pp

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

This National Toxicology Program technical report documents toxicology and carcinogenesis studies in Sprague Dawley rats exposed to whole-body radio frequency radiation at 900 MHz using GSM and CDMA modulations typical of cell phone frequencies. The study systematically evaluated potential health effects from radiofrequency exposure under controlled laboratory conditions.

Why This Matters

The NTP is a federal agency responsible for evaluating the toxicology of chemicals and environmental agents; this 2018 report represents a major multi-year investigation of radiofrequency effects. The use of standardized rat models and specific cell phone frequencies (900 MHz with GSM/CDMA modulation) allows for controlled assessment of potential biological mechanisms.

Exposure Information

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.

Cite This Study

NTP 2018. NTP Technical Report on the Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies in Hsd:Sprague Dawley SD Rats exposed to Whole-body Radio Frequency Radiation at a Frequency (900 MHz) and Modulations (GSM and CDMA) used by Cell Phones. National Toxicology Program, National Institutes of Health, Public Health Service, U.S. (2018). Department of Health and Human Services. 384 pp.

Show BibTeX

@article{department_of_health_and_human_services_384_pp_ce4889,
  author = {NTP 2018. NTP Technical Report on the Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies in Hsd:Sprague Dawley SD Rats exposed to Whole-body Radio Frequency Radiation at a Frequency (900 MHz) and Modulations (GSM and CDMA) used by Cell Phones. National Toxicology Program and National Institutes of Health and Public Health Service and U.S.},
  title = {Department of Health and Human Services. 384 pp},
  year = {2018},
  doi = {10.1289/ehp.1509934},
  url = {https://www.saferemr.com/2018/11/NTP-final-reports31.html},
}

DOI: 10.1289/ehp.1509934

Quick Questions About This Study

This National Toxicology Program study was the largest government-funded investigation of cell phone radiation health effects, using real GSM and CDMA signals at 900 MHz for two years - the gold standard for cancer research.

900 MHz is a core frequency band used by cell phones for voice calls and data transmission. The NTP chose this frequency because it represents actual human exposure from everyday phone use.

The study exposed rats to 900 MHz radiation for their entire lifespan - approximately two years. This duration mirrors chronic human exposure patterns and meets scientific standards for cancer studies.

GSM and CDMA are different cell phone technologies that modulate 900 MHz signals differently. The NTP tested both to ensure findings applied to the major wireless standards used globally.

The extensive technical documentation demonstrates unprecedented government investment in EMF health research, suggesting federal agencies recognize potential risks that warrant comprehensive scientific investigation rather than dismissal.