Department of Health and Human Services. 384 pp

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

The National Toxicology Program conducted a major two-year study exposing rats to 900 MHz cell phone radiation (GSM and CDMA) to test for cancer and other health effects. This was the largest government study of its kind, designed to definitively answer whether the radiofrequency radiation from cell phones poses health risks.

Why This Matters

This NTP study represents a watershed moment in EMF health research. For the first time, a major U.S. government agency conducted a comprehensive, long-term animal study specifically designed to test cell phone radiation at the exact frequencies and modulations your phone uses every day. The fact that this 384-page technical report exists at all signals that federal health agencies are taking EMF health concerns seriously enough to invest millions in definitive research. What makes this study particularly significant is its real-world relevance - 900 MHz GSM and CDMA are the backbone technologies that carry your voice calls and data. Unlike many industry-funded studies that often show no effects, government-sponsored research like this tends to be more methodologically rigorous and free from commercial bias. The sheer scope and duration of this investigation suggests that previous dismissals of EMF health risks may have been premature.

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 PubMed: 25932614

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.