3,138 Studies Reviewed. 77.4% Found Biological Effects. The Evidence is Clear.

Indication of cocarcinogenic potential of chronic UMTS-modulated radiofrequency exposure in an ethylnitrosourea mouse model.

Bioeffects Seen

Tillmann T, Ernst H, Streckert J, Zhou Y, Taugner F, Hansen V, Dasenbrock C. · 2010

View Original Abstract
Share:

Cell phone radiation may double metastasizing lung cancers when combined with chemical carcinogens, suggesting EMF acts as a co-carcinogen.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed pregnant mice to 3G cell phone radiation for 24 months alongside a cancer-causing chemical. The radiation doubled metastasizing lung tumors compared to the chemical alone, suggesting cell phone radiation may help other carcinogens become more dangerous.

Why This Matters

This study provides concerning evidence that chronic exposure to cell phone radiation may not cause cancer directly, but could make us more vulnerable to other carcinogens in our environment. The exposure level used (4.8 W/m²) is within the range of what people experience from cell towers and base stations, making these findings particularly relevant to real-world exposures. What makes this research especially significant is that it demonstrates a dose-dependent effect - the higher radiation exposure (48 W/m²) showed no increase in tumors, while the moderate exposure combined with a chemical carcinogen doubled metastasizing lung cancers. This suggests that EMF exposure may interact with other environmental toxins in ways we're only beginning to understand, potentially creating a "perfect storm" scenario for cancer development.

Exposure Details

Power Density
0, 0.48, 4.8 µW/m²

Where This Falls on the Concern Scale

Study Exposure Level in ContextA logarithmic scale showing exposure levels relative to Building Biology concern thresholds and regulatory limits.Study Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 0, 0.48, 4.8 µW/m²Extreme Concern1,000 uW/m2FCC Limit10M uW/m2Effects observed in the No Concern range (Building Biology)

Study Details

To evaluate putative effects on tumour susceptibility in mice exposed to a UMTS (universal mobile telecommunications system) test signal for up to 24 months, commencing with embryo-fetal exposure.

Animals were exposed to UMTS fields with intensities of 0, 4.8, and 48 W/m(2), the low-dose group (4...

The high-level UMTS exposure (48 W/m(2)), the sham exposure, and the cage control groups showed comp...

This pilot study indicates a cocarcinogenic effect of lifelong UMTS exposure (4.8 W/m(2)) in female B6C3F1 descendants subjected to pretreatment with ethylnitrosourea.

Cite This Study
Tillmann T, Ernst H, Streckert J, Zhou Y, Taugner F, Hansen V, Dasenbrock C. (2010). Indication of cocarcinogenic potential of chronic UMTS-modulated radiofrequency exposure in an ethylnitrosourea mouse model. nt J Radiat Biol. 86(7):529-541, 2010.
Show BibTeX
@article{t_2010_indication_of_cocarcinogenic_potential_1365,
  author = {Tillmann T and Ernst H and Streckert J and Zhou Y and Taugner F and Hansen V and Dasenbrock C.},
  title = {Indication of cocarcinogenic potential of chronic UMTS-modulated radiofrequency exposure in an ethylnitrosourea mouse model.},
  year = {2010},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20545575/},
}

Quick Questions About This Study

Researchers exposed pregnant mice to 3G cell phone radiation for 24 months alongside a cancer-causing chemical. The radiation doubled metastasizing lung tumors compared to the chemical alone, suggesting cell phone radiation may help other carcinogens become more dangerous.