Theodora Scarato, ehn.org, March 14, 2025
Four critiques published by distinguished U.S. and international experts have documented the science showing that a World Health Organization (WHO) funded review on cell phone radiation cannot conclude cell phones are safe due to several critical errors, omissions, and conflicts of interests.
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In short:
- Experts state that the WHO review failed to follow best practices for statistical analyses, and relied heavily on lower quality and less precise, industry-tied studies.
- The WHO review’s conclusion omitted findings of large scale animal experiments, which have demonstrated “clear evidence” of an association with cancer.
- The WHO’s conclusions are not in alignment with seven meta-analyses that have found significant evidence of an association between heavy, long-term cellphone use (greater than ten years) and tumor risk.
- Several authors of the WHO review have conflicts of interest, including a history of receiving industry funding for their research. .
- All four critiques emphasize the need for a public health approach that minimizes exposure to cell phone radiation, especially for children.
Key Quote:
“It is dishonest to assure the public that cell phones and wireless radiation are safe based upon such a flawed review.”
- Dr. Joel Moskowitz, of the International Commission on the Biological Effects of Electromagnetic Fields.
Why this matters:
Cell phones - like all wireless devices - emit radiofrequency (RF) radiation, which a growing body of scientific data suggests can impact health. These critiques were authored by some of the world’s foremost scientists researching the health effects of wireless technology.
- Frank et al. (2025) published in Environment International is authored by the world renowned scientists of the International Commission on the Biological Effects of Electromagnetic Fields who also released a factsheet and background on the WHO reviews.
- Di Ciaula et al. (2025) published in Environment International is authored by members of the International Society of Doctors for Environment (ISDE) and includes Fiorella Belpoggi PhD, the former Scientific Director of the Ramazzini Institute.
- Hardell & Nilsson (2025) published in the Journal of Cancer Science and Clinical Therapeutics is co-authored by Lennart Hardell MD, PhD of the Environment and Cancer Research Foundation who has published research on cell phone radiation for decades and was an invited expert to the WHO International Agency for Research on Cancer evaluation of RF.
- James Lin, PhD published a 2024 article in IEEE Microwave Magazine and is former Chairman of the International Scientific Radio Union Commission on Electromagnetics in Biology and Medicine, the IEEE Committee on Man and Radiation and International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection Scientific Committee, and longtime professor of electrical engineering, bioengineering, physiology and biophysics at the University of Illinois Chicago.
Related EHN coverage:
- New analysis calls for more precise research on cell phones and brain cancer
- Science on the health effects of wireless radiation
Scientific references for the four critiques:
- Di Ciaula, Agostino et al. for Environment International vol. 196. Feb. 2025
- Frank, John et al. for Environment International vol. 195. Jan. 2025
- Hardell, Lennart & Nilsson, Mona for Journal of Cancer Science and Clinical Therapeutics vol. 9,1. Feb. 19, 2025
- Lin, James for IEEE Microwave Magazine vol. 26, 1. Dec. 12, 2024
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