RF, mice and lymphoma

["John Moulder" <jmoulder@post.its.mcw.edu>]

Summary of the Australian RF lymphoma study
John Moulder (jmoulder@its.mcw.edu)
Radiation Oncology
Medical College of Wisconsin

Source:  MH Repacholi, A Basten et al:  Lymphomas in Eu-Pim1 Transgenic Mice 
Exposed to Pulsed 900 MHz Electromagnetic Fields. Rad Res 147:631-640, 1997.

This recently published study reports that lymphoma-prone mice exposed for 18 
months to intense, but intermittent, radio-frequency fields of the type used 
by digital mobile phones have an increased incidence of lymphomas.  No 
increase in incidence of other types of tumors were found.  The field 
intensities used are above the guidelines for public exposure recommended in 
the ANSI/IEEE standard, and are far above those that exist in publicly-
accessible areas near cellular phone and PCS base station antennas.  

While this study is very interesting, its impact on regulation of RF exposure 
to the public is quite unclear:
- It cannot be determined from this study whether lymphomas, or other types of 
tumors, can be induced in normal (as opposed to cancer-prone) animals by 
exposure to RF.
- It cannot be determined from this study what exposure level is required for 
induction of lymphoma in these mice.  

Clearly the study will need to be repeated with both normal and lymphoma-prone 
mice.  If the effect can be replicated, it will be critical to determine the 
dose-response relationship for lymphoma induction, and whether the effect 
occurs for other tumors and/or in other species.