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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

Lack of effect of 94 GHz radio frequency radiation exposure in an animal model of skin carcinogenesis.

No Effects Found

Mason PA, Walters TJ, DiGiovanni J, Beason CW, Jauchem JR, Dick EJ Jr, Mahajan K, Dusch SJ, Shields BA, Merritt JH, Murphy MR, Ryan KL · 2001

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Even at exposure levels 1000 times higher than safety limits, 94 GHz radiation showed no cancer-promoting effects in mice.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed mice to 94 GHz millimeter wave radiation (the same frequency range used in some 5G networks) to see if it would promote skin cancer development. Even at very high power levels - 1000 times stronger than typical exposure limits - the radiation showed no effect on tumor formation or growth. This suggests that millimeter wave radiation at these frequencies does not act as a cancer promoter in skin tissue.

Why This Matters

This study provides important reassurance about millimeter wave frequencies, particularly relevant given their use in 5G networks and military applications. The researchers used exposure levels of 333-1000 milliwatts per square centimeter, which are thousands of times higher than what you'd encounter from typical wireless devices. The science demonstrates that even these extreme exposures failed to promote cancer development in a well-established animal model specifically designed to detect cancer-promoting effects. What this means for you is that the millimeter wave frequencies used in some 5G applications appear unlikely to promote skin cancer, even at exposure levels far exceeding real-world scenarios. However, this single study shouldn't be viewed in isolation - the reality is that research on millimeter wave health effects remains limited, and more studies across different biological endpoints are needed for a complete picture.

Exposure Details

Power Density
333 - 1000 mW/cm²
Source/Device
94 GHz
Exposure Duration
2 exposures/week for 12 weeks

Exposure Context

This study used 333 - 1000 mW/cm² for radio frequency:

Building Biology guidelines are practitioner-based limits from real-world assessments. BioInitiative Report recommendations are based on peer-reviewed science. Check Your Exposure to compare your own measurements.

Where This Falls on the Concern Scale

Study Exposure Level in ContextStudy Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 333 - 1000 mW/cm²Extreme Concern - 1,000 µW/m²FCC Limit - 10M µW/m²Effects observed in the Extreme Concern range (Building Biology)This level is 333 times the FCC limit
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 94 GHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 94 GHzPower lines50/60 HzCell phones~1 GHzWiFi2.4 GHz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

In this study we investigated whether a single (1.0 W/cm(2) for 10 s) or repeated (2 exposures/week for 12 weeks, 333 mW/cm(2) for 10 s) exposure to 94 GHz RFR serves as a promoter or co-promoter in the 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced SENCAR mouse model of skin carcinogenesis.

Neither paradigm of MMW exposure significantly affected papilloma development, as evidenced by a lac...

Therefore, we conclude that exposure to 94 GHz RFR under these conditions does not promote or co-promote papilloma development in this animal model of skin carcinogenesis.

Cite This Study
Mason PA, Walters TJ, DiGiovanni J, Beason CW, Jauchem JR, Dick EJ Jr, Mahajan K, Dusch SJ, Shields BA, Merritt JH, Murphy MR, Ryan KL (2001). Lack of effect of 94 GHz radio frequency radiation exposure in an animal model of skin carcinogenesis. Carcinogenesis 22(10):1701-1708, 2001.
Show BibTeX
@article{pa_2001_lack_of_effect_of_3233,
  author = {Mason PA and Walters TJ and DiGiovanni J and Beason CW and Jauchem JR and Dick EJ Jr and Mahajan K and Dusch SJ and Shields BA and Merritt JH and Murphy MR and Ryan KL},
  title = {Lack of effect of 94 GHz radio frequency radiation exposure in an animal model of skin carcinogenesis.},
  year = {2001},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11577012/},
}
PubMed: 11577012

Cited By (39 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

Research on 94 GHz millimeter waves (used in some 5G networks) found no evidence of skin cancer promotion in animal studies. Even at exposure levels 1000 times higher than safety limits, the radiation showed no effect on tumor formation or growth in mice.
A 2001 study found that 94 GHz radiation exposure did not promote skin cancer development in mice, even at extremely high power levels. The research suggests this frequency range does not act as a cancer promoter in skin tissue.
Studies on 94 GHz millimeter wave radiation show no significant effect on cancer development. Research found no increase in tumor incidence or growth when animals were exposed to these frequencies at very high power levels.
Current research indicates minimal cancer risk from 94 GHz waves. Animal studies found no evidence that this frequency promotes skin cancer, even when exposure levels were 1000 times stronger than typical safety limits allow.
Research shows 94 GHz exposure does not impact tumor growth or development. In controlled animal studies, millimeter wave radiation at this frequency showed no effect on papilloma formation, incidence, or multiplicity compared to unexposed groups.