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Note: This study found no significant biological effects under its experimental conditions. We include all studies for scientific completeness.

Cancer & Tumors

Brain tumour development in rats exposed to electromagnetic fields used in wireless cellular communication.

No Effects Found

Salford LG, Brun A, Persson BRR · 1997

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This study found no evidence that 915 MHz cell phone radiation accelerated existing brain tumors in rats over 2-3 weeks.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers injected brain tumor cells into 154 pairs of rats, then exposed half to 915 MHz microwaves (the frequency used by early cell phones) for 7 hours daily over 2-3 weeks while keeping the other half as controls. They found no difference in tumor growth between exposed and unexposed rats, suggesting that microwave exposure did not accelerate existing brain tumors in this particular experimental setup.

Why This Matters

This 1997 study represents an early attempt to investigate whether cell phone radiation might accelerate brain tumor growth, using a controlled laboratory model. While the researchers found no tumor-promoting effects at 915 MHz, it's important to understand what this study does and doesn't tell us. The research focused specifically on whether EMF exposure accelerates existing tumors rather than whether it causes tumors to form in the first place. The exposure began only after tumors were already established, and the study period was relatively short at just 2-3 weeks. What this means for you is that while this particular study didn't find evidence that cell phone radiation speeds up brain tumor growth in rats, it doesn't address the broader question of whether long-term EMF exposure might initiate cancer development over months or years of use.

Exposure Information

A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 915 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 915 MHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study. The study examined exposure from: 915 MHz Duration: 7 hours a day, 5 days a week during 2–3 weeks

Study Details

The effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields were investigated in a rat brain glioma model.

Some of the exposures correspond to electromagnetic fields used in wireless communication. Microwave...

Our study of 154 matched pairs of rats does not show any significant difference in tumour size betwe...

Thus our results do not support that even an extensive daily exposure to EMF promotes tumour growth when given from the fifth day after the start of tumour growth in the rat brain until the sacrifice of the animal after about 16 days.

Cite This Study
Salford LG, Brun A, Persson BRR (1997). Brain tumour development in rats exposed to electromagnetic fields used in wireless cellular communication. Wireless network 3: 463-469, 1997.
Show BibTeX
@article{lg_1997_brain_tumour_development_in_3349,
  author = {Salford LG and Brun A and Persson BRR},
  title = {Brain tumour development in rats exposed to electromagnetic fields used in wireless cellular communication.},
  year = {1997},
  doi = {10.1023/A:1019102627678},
  url = {https://link.springer.com/article/10.1023/A:1019102627678},
}
DOI: 10.1023/A:1019102627678

Cited By (31 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

A 1997 study found no evidence that 915 MHz microwave radiation accelerated brain tumor growth in rats. Researchers exposed 154 pairs of tumor-bearing rats to early cell phone frequencies for 7 hours daily over 2-3 weeks and found no difference in tumor size compared to unexposed controls.
Research using 915 MHz radiation (the frequency of early cell phones) found no tumor promotion effects in rats with existing brain cancers. The study exposed animals daily for weeks but detected no significant differences in tumor development between exposed and control groups.
A controlled study found that even extensive daily exposure to 915 MHz radiation for 7 hours did not promote brain tumor growth in rats. The research followed animals for 16 days after tumor implantation, monitoring for any acceleration in cancer development.
Studies using 915 MHz microwave radiation found no impact on brain tumor progression or animal survival rates. Researchers exposed tumor-bearing rats to cell phone frequencies for weeks but observed no differences in cancer outcomes compared to unexposed animals.
Research indicates that 915 MHz electromagnetic fields do not worsen existing brain cancers. A study of 154 rat pairs with implanted brain tumors found no significant difference in tumor size between animals exposed to this frequency and unexposed controls over several weeks.