Projects we fund

Overview

A wide variety of modern technology, including mobile phones and base stations, produce radio waves. This kind of radiation is different to that known to cause cancer in the higher frequency range, in particular ionizing radiation such as UV radiation or gamma radiation. Nevertheless, some scientists are concerned that these radio waves might increase a person’s chances of developing certain cancers. Children and young people are particularly vulnerable to things that cause cancer (carcinogens), because their bodies are still growing and developing. We therefore need to learn more about the risks associated with long-term exposure to the type of radio waves emitted by mobile phones and radiobase stations. Dr Fiorella Belpoggi and colleagues have been studying the effects of radio- waves on preclinical models exposed long-term to radio base stations. They also tested the potential carcinogenic effects of radiofrequency radiation in combination with low dose of a known carcinogen (gamma radiation). In this project, they will study samples from these preclinical models to look for tumours and other changes. This will enable to them to assess whether early exposure to radio waves increases the risk of these preclinical models developing cancer and how the risk vary depending on co-exposure with other carcinogens.

Potential impact

The results of this study will provide evidence as to whether or not long-term exposure to radio waves produced by mobile phone and base stations increases risk of cancer and if synergistic or enhancing effects occur when associated with exposure to other known carcinogens such as gamma radiation. This is a particularly important question in relation to children, who are more susceptible to carcinogens than adults. Understanding the causes of cancer in children could potentially lead to new public health measure to reduce these risks.