NTP Study on Cancer Risk from Cellphone Radiation: Spin vs Fact

“The National Toxicology Program (NTP) of the National Institutes of Health reported partial findings from their $25 million study of the cancer risk from cellphone radiofrequency radiation (RFR). Controlled studies of rats showed that RFR caused two types of tumors, glioma and schwannoma. The results “…could have broad implications for public health.”   Comments From Dr. Joel Moskowitz, UC Berkeley Public Health Researcher on release of partial findings NTP Spin Vs Fact

Update 11/20/19

Final NTP Study Results Released Feb 2, 2018

On May 19,  2016 partial results from an important National Toxicology Program rodent study on cell phones and cancer were released. On Feb 2, 2018 the final NTP carcinogenesis and cell phone radiation report . was released.

See Also: Full Reports and Scientific Literature- NTP Studies on Chronic Carcinogenesis and Cell Phone Radiation

Final Published Results on NTP 2019

  • Evaluation of the genotoxicity of cell phone radiofrequency radiation in male and female rats and mice following subchronic exposure. (2019) Smith-Roe SL, Wyde ME, Stout MD, Winters JW et al. Environ Mol Mutagen. 2019 Oct 21. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31633839

 

May 19, 2016

May 19, 2016  Report of Partial Findings NTP Carcinogenesis Studies of Cell Phone Radiofrequency Radiation in Hsd: Sprague Dawley® SD rats (Whole Body Exposures).

Feb 2, 2018

Feb 2, 2018 the complete NTP Report was released.

Final report of  NTP Program study on cell phones and cancer can also be viewed through the following websites.

  1. High exposure to radiofrequency radiation linked to tumor activity in male rats. Feb 2, 2018. NIH.  https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/high-exposure-radiofrequency-radiation-linked-tumor-activity-male-rats
  2. TR-595: 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. Feb, 2018 https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/results/pubs/longterm/reports/longterm/tr500580/listedreports/tr595/index.html
  3. TR-596: Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies In B6C3F1/N Mice Exposed to Whole-Body Radio Frequency Radiation at a Frequency (1,900 MHz) and Modulations (GSM and CDMA) Used by Cell Phones. https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/results/pubs/longterm/reports/longterm/tr500580/listedreports/tr596/index.html

March 26-28, 2018

March 26-28, 2018  a peer review NTP meeting has been set up to discuss results at  Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.

Note: Comments on NTP are important to do and are due by March 12 https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/about/org/sep/trpanel/meetings/index.html#20180328

Spin Vs Fact

A fact sheet on the NTP study that summarizes some biased statements, or “Spin,” about the study that tend to create doubt about data quality and implications, as well as “Facts” from decades of previous research is available at Spin vs Fact.  Dr. Moskowitz has provided detailed information about the NTP study at SaferEMR- NTP Study 2016. 

Here is the original NTP Study Cell Phones and Brain Tumor Risk “Spin vs Fact” sheet.

Joel M. Moskowitz, Ph.D.

Director, Center for Family and Community Health School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley

Website: http://www.saferemr.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SaferEMR Twitter: @berkeleyprc

SPIN vs FACT: National Toxicology Program report on cancer risk from cellphone radiation

The National Toxicology Program (NTP) of the National Institutes of Health reported partial findings from their $25 million study of the cancer risk from cellphone radiofrequency radiation (RFR). Controlled studies of rats showed that RFR caused two types of tumors, glioma and schwannoma. The results “…could have broad implications for public health.” Below are some biased statements, or “Spin,” about the study that tend to create doubt about data quality and implications, as well as “Facts” from decades of previous research.

SPIN

FACT

Conclusions are faulty. Dr. Michael Lauer, deputy director for extramural research at the National Institutes of Health, “I am unable to accept the authors’ conclusions.”

The NTP is world-renowned for toxicology research. This is ”by far … the most carefully done cell phone” toxicology study of RFR carcinogenic effects. Criticisms by Dr. Lauer and other scientists who reviewed the study were rebutted in the study report.

Study reports a “low incidence” of tumors in the brain and heart in rats exposed to RFR.

The study found that one in twelve (8.5%) of the 540 male rats exposed to cellphone radiation developed cancer or pre-cancerous cells as compared to none of the 90 rats in the control condition.

Relevance of animal studies to humans is questionable.

The cells that developed tumors are the same cells that display elevated tumor risk in studies of long- term, heavy cellphone users. Rats are the preferred animal model for carcinogenicity studies.

International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), rated cellphone radiation a “possible’’ human carcinogen (Group 2B), the same rating given to coffee, pickled vegetables, and talc.

The report provides strong evidence that RFR exposure causes cancer. Major studies published since the 2011 IARC meeting consistently find that long-term, heavy cellphone users have increased risk of brain tumors. Group 2B carcinogens also include DDT, lead, and diesel fumes.

Prior research contradicts NTP study results (e.g., Danish Cohort Study, British Million Women Study).

The Danish study has been criticized by many scientists for excluding heavy cellphone users. The British Study has also been criticized; but, it found evidence for acoustic neuroma (a form of schwannoma).

Epidemiological studies fail to show an increase in brain tumor incidence since 1992 even though cellphone use has mushroomed.

The incidence of nonmalignant tumors has significantly increased in the U.S. since cellphones. Moreover, the incidence of glioblastoma multiforme, the most serious type of brain cancer, has increased in parts of the brain proximal to where cellphones are held. Brain cancer can take decades to develop, so it is premature to see overall increases in malignant tumors in the general population.

There is no mechanism to explain how cellphones could cause cancer. Unlike ionizing radiation, non-ionizing radiation from cellphones cannot damage DNA.

A review paper reported that in 93 of 100 studies RFR produced a cellular stress response which can lead to DNA damage and cancer. The NTP study also found evidence of DNA damage. Several published papers present evidence for different mechanisms by which RFR may cause cancer.

The research has not been peer-reviewed.

The NTP report has been peer-reviewed by experts. Some reviews appear in the report along with the authors’ responses.

Findings are preliminary, it is premature to conclude we should take precautions or change policy.

These are not preliminary findings. According to NTP, the effects of RFR on these two tumors, glioma and schwannoma, are final. The federal government released this partial report because the results “could have broad implications” for the public due to widespread cellphone use. The NTP posted on its website a link to the FDA’s recommendations on how to reduce cellphone radiation exposure.

 

 

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