GENETIC, CARCINOGENIC AND TERATOGENIC EFFECTS OF RADIOFREQUENCY FIELDS

This paper reviews the literature data on the genetic toxicology of ra diofrequency (RF) radiation. Whereas in the past most studies were dev oted to microwave ovens and radar equipment, it is now mobile telecomm unication that attracts most attention. Therefore we focus on mobile t elephone frequencies where possible. According to a great majority of the papers, radiofrequency fields, and mobile telephone frequencies in particular, an not genotoxic: they do not induce genetic effects in v itro and in vivo, at least under non-thermal exposure conditions, and do not seem to be teratogenic or to induce cancer. Yet, some investiga tions gave rather alarming results that should be confirmed and comple ted by further experiments. Among them the investigation of synergisti c effects and of possible mechanisms of action should be emphasised. ( C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.