RF Safe

[Motivation and significance of IARC classification for mobile phone].

Giornale italiano di medicina del lavoro ed ergonomia · 2011 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 4454

The article summarizes the May 2011 IARC Working Group evaluation of RF-EMF exposure, noting evidence was generally assessed as "limited" for glioma and acoustic neuroma among wireless phone users and "inappropriate" to draw conclusions for other tumor types.…

Study snapshot

PublicationGiornale italiano di medicina del lavoro ed ergonomia · 2011
Study typereview
Reported directionMixed
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

In May 2011, the IARC Working Group discussed the possibility that exposure to RF-EMF (radiofrequency electromagnetic fields) have to produce an increased risk for brain tumors and evaluated the available literature on different categories of subjects exposed, including, among others, a Danish cohort study, five case-control studies and the largest multi-center case-control study (INTERPHONE) on the use of mobile phone and brain tumors, including glioma, meningioma and acoustic neuroma. The Working Group also examined a number of studies with objectives related to various mechanisms ofcarcerogenesis. The findings have been reviewed critically and generally assessed as "limited" among users of wireless phones for glioma and acoustic neuroma and "inappropriate" to draw conclusions for other types of tumors. The evidence from occupational and environmental exposures were considered "insufficient" in the same way. Given the limited evidence in humans and in experimental animals, the Working Group has classified a large majority the RF-EMF fields as "possibly carcinogenic to humans" (Group 2B). The Director of IARC has recommended, however,further research in the long-term use of mobile phones and adoption of pragmatic steps to reduce exposure, such as hands-free devices or sms.

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 typereview
Effect directionmixed
PopulationNot supplied
Sample sizeNot supplied
ExposureRF
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

The article summarizes the May 2011 IARC Working Group evaluation of RF-EMF exposure, noting evidence was generally assessed as "limited" for glioma and acoustic neuroma among wireless phone users and "inappropriate" to draw conclusions for other tumor types. Evidence from occupational and environmental exposures was considered "insufficient". Based on limited evidence in humans and experimental animals, RF-EMF was classified as "possibly carcinogenic to humans" (Group 2B).

Outcomes measured

  • Brain tumors
  • Glioma
  • Meningioma
  • Acoustic neuroma
  • Carcinogenesis mechanisms

Limitations

  • Narrative summary of IARC evaluation; no new primary data reported in abstract
  • Conclusions depend on the quality and limitations of the underlying epidemiological and experimental literature
  • For many tumor types and for occupational/environmental exposure categories, evidence was described as insufficient or inappropriate to draw conclusions
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "review",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": null,
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Brain tumors",
    "Glioma",
    "Meningioma",
    "Acoustic neuroma",
    "Carcinogenesis mechanisms"
  ],
  "main_findings": "The article summarizes the May 2011 IARC Working Group evaluation of RF-EMF exposure, noting evidence was generally assessed as \"limited\" for glioma and acoustic neuroma among wireless phone users and \"inappropriate\" to draw conclusions for other tumor types. Evidence from occupational and environmental exposures was considered \"insufficient\". Based on limited evidence in humans and experimental animals, RF-EMF was classified as \"possibly carcinogenic to humans\" (Group 2B).",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Narrative summary of IARC evaluation; no new primary data reported in abstract",
    "Conclusions depend on the quality and limitations of the underlying epidemiological and experimental literature",
    "For many tumor types and for occupational/environmental exposure categories, evidence was described as insufficient or inappropriate to draw conclusions"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "IARC",
    "RF-EMF",
    "radiofrequency electromagnetic fields",
    "mobile phones",
    "wireless phones",
    "brain tumors",
    "glioma",
    "acoustic neuroma",
    "meningioma",
    "INTERPHONE",
    "carcinogenicity",
    "Group 2B"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "who-icnirp",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Discusses IARC Working Group evaluation and Group 2B classification for RF-EMF from mobile phones."
    },
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.35,
      "reason": "Mentions IARC assessment of occupational RF-EMF evidence as insufficient."
    }
  ]
}
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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: Not supplied
PubMed: 23393882

Read the original paper →

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