RF Safe

The International Collaborative Animal Study of The Carcinogenicity and Genotoxicity of Mobile Phone Radiofrequency Radiation: The Korean Study.

Toxicological sciences : an official journal of the Society of Toxicology · 2026 · No effect · Moderate evidence

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No effectModerate evidencePaper 4334

No statistically significant changes in tumor incidence or survival rates were observed. No significant RF-related effects were detected in heart, brain, or adrenal glands. No changes in body temperature. Genotoxicity tests showed no evidence of DNA damage or…

Study snapshot

PublicationToxicological sciences : an official journal of the Society of Toxicology · 2026
Study typeanimal
Reported directionNo effect
Evidence ratingModerate

Abstract

A chronic bioassay investigating radiofrequency (RF) carcinogenicity, intentionally designed to be conducted simultaneously in Korea and Japan, using the same research protocol and experimental environment. The study aimed to assess the potential carcinogenicity of Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA)-modulated 900 MHz RF signals at a whole-body specific absorption rate (SAR) of 4 W/kg, which is the reference level of the international human safety guideline, and to verify the key findings from the National Toxicology Program (NTP) study at that SAR level. Two reverberation chamber systems were used for RF exposures, and the same study protocols were followed. Male Harlan Sprague-Dawley (Hsd: Sprague Dawley® SD®) rats were randomly assigned to cage-control, sham-exposed, or RF-exposed groups. The exposure started on gestational day 5 and lasted for 18 hours and 20 minutes each day, with 10-minute on/off cycles. The project included a 28-day toxicity study, a 2-year carcinogenicity study, and a 14-week genotoxicity test. Histopathological evaluations were conducted in a partially blinded manner. The results were independently analyzed and submitted separately based on each country's research findings. In the Korean study, no statistically significant changes in tumor incidence or survival rates were observed. No significant RF-related effects were detected in the heart, brain, or adrenal glands. No changes in body temperature. Genotoxicity tests showed no evidence of DNA damage or mutation. In conclusion, the Korean part found that long-term exposure to CDMA-modulated 900 MHz RF was neither carcinogenic nor genotoxic at a SAR of 4 W/kg in male rats.

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeanimal
Effect directionno_effect
Populationmale Harlan Sprague-Dawley rats
Sample sizeNot supplied
ExposureRF · 900 MHz · 4 W/kg · 18 hours 20 minutes per day, 2 years for carcinogenicity study
Evidence strengthModerateConfidence: 80% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

No statistically significant changes in tumor incidence or survival rates were observed. No significant RF-related effects were detected in heart, brain, or adrenal glands. No changes in body temperature. Genotoxicity tests showed no evidence of DNA damage or mutation.

Outcomes measured

  • tumor incidence
  • survival rates
  • histopathological changes in heart, brain, adrenal glands
  • body temperature
  • genotoxicity (DNA damage, mutation)

Limitations

  • Sample size not specified
  • Only male rats studied
  • Only one modulation type (CDMA) and frequency (900 MHz) tested
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": 900,
    "sar_wkg": 4,
    "duration": "18 hours 20 minutes per day, 2 years for carcinogenicity study"
  },
  "population": "male Harlan Sprague-Dawley rats",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "tumor incidence",
    "survival rates",
    "histopathological changes in heart, brain, adrenal glands",
    "body temperature",
    "genotoxicity (DNA damage, mutation)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "No statistically significant changes in tumor incidence or survival rates were observed. No significant RF-related effects were detected in heart, brain, or adrenal glands. No changes in body temperature. Genotoxicity tests showed no evidence of DNA damage or mutation.",
  "effect_direction": "no_effect",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not specified",
    "Only male rats studied",
    "Only one modulation type (CDMA) and frequency (900 MHz) tested"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "moderate",
  "confidence": 0.8,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "radiofrequency radiation",
    "carcinogenicity",
    "genotoxicity",
    "CDMA",
    "900 MHz",
    "animal study",
    "specific absorption rate",
    "SAR"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.7,
      "reason": "Study of RF exposure relevant to human safety guidelines and occupational exposure levels."
    }
  ]
}
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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfag001
PubMed: 41546387

Read the original paper →

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