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FACT BRIEF

Have studies of cell phone radiation established strong evidence of risks to humans?

Saturday, February 13, 2021
By Stevie Rosignol-Cortez
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NO

A National Institutes of Health toxicology program has been exploring the health risks of cell phone radiation since 1999, finding some evidence of DNA damage to cells from strong radiation waves. It hasn’t established any clear link to increased cancer or other risks for humans.

In 2019 it conducted a study that found exposure to strong cell phone radiation caused some DNA damage in mice and rats, as well as an association with heart tumors in the hearts of male rats. The NIH notes “many factors” may influence DNA damage and tumors.

As 5G frequencies don’t penetrate the human body as deeply as 2G or 3G waves, the NIH says they present less concern about risk to internal organs. Scientists want to see if those waves may cause toxicity in the skin or other tissues.

A 2009 study from Australia found a link between cell phone radiation and DNA damage to lab specimens of human sperm cells.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
National Toxicology Program: Cell phone radio frequency radiation
National Library of Medicine National Library of Medicine: Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis—Radiofrequency radiation in rats and mice
American Cancer Society: Radiofrequency radiation
National Library of Medicine: Cell phone radiation and DNA damage in human spermatozoa
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Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.