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The GSM Association (GSMA) in partnership with the Mobile Manufacturers Forum (MMF) and various national authorities commenced a research programme in 2000 to address World Health Organization (WHO) identified research priorities. These projects were established in a manner that assures maximum scientific independence for the researchers while ensuring appropriate project accountability to the funding bodies. The studies are starting to report in the open peer-reviewed scientific literature and the outcomes will form a key input to the planned WHO health risk assessments of radiofrequency (RF) fields.
To date expert groups have consistently found no convincing evidence of a public health hazard from mobile communications services however further research has been recommended. A key requirement of supporting this type of research has been to ensure that the researchers are responsible for the scientific integrity of the studies with a requirement for open publication of the findings. The GSM Association contributes partial funding to these studies in partnership with public health agencies and upon the recommendation of independent experts who monitor the scientific progress. These mechanisms provide milestone and budget accountability without compromising the scientific independence of the research. The overall GSM Association budget commitment to this programme is more than 6M€ (2000-2006) and the total value of the programme is more than 20M€.
| Title |
Category |
Summary |
| Mobile Phone Safety Research |
GSMA |
The GSM Association (GSMA) in partnership with the Mobile Manufacturers Forum (MMF) and various national authorities commenced a research programme in 2000 to address World Health Organization (WHO) identified research priorities. These projects were established in a manner that assures maximum scientific independence for the researchers while ensuring appropriate project accountability to the funding bodies. |
| Glossary - Key terms used in this series |
GSMA |
Key terms used in this series are explained below. |
| INTERPHONE: Estimates of power levels from mobile phones |
INTERPHONE |
The mobile phone radiofrequency (RF) exposures received by the case and control subjects in
the INTERPHONE epidemiological cancer studies were gauged by the subjects' recall of their
phone use in terms of number and duration of calls. A more fundamental RF exposure metric
for testing associations between mobile phones and cancers in the head and neck may be the
accumulated RF power emitted by the phone while in use. Researchers from the
INTERPHONE partners in Germany (University of Bielfield) and Sweden (Karolinska
Insitut) have accordingly conducted studies to ascertain how mobile phone transmitter power
varies, and how well it correlates with the subject’s recall of phone use. |
| INTERPHONE: Validation Studies of Phone Use Recall |
INTERPHONE |
The INTERPHONE project was set up to determine whether radiofrequency (RF) exposure
from mobile phones increases the risk of tumours of the brain, acoustic nerve and parotid
salivary glands. The RF exposure for each subject was gauged by the level of mobile phone use
as recalled by the subject. The reliability of the study results depends on the validity of this
phone usage data and the INTERPHONE partners have accordingly conducted validation
studies to test its quality. |
| INTERPHONE: Overall Project Summary |
INTERPHONE(Cancer Epidemiology) |
The INTERPHONE project is a multi-national series of epidemiological studies testing whether using mobile phones increases the risk of various cancers in the head and neck. The project comprises national studies from 13 different countries, which are coordinated by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), an agency of the World Health Organisation (WHO). Partial results for the UK, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden were reported in 2004 and 2005, and publication of the overall analysis is expected in 2006. |
| INTERPHONE: Mobile phone brain cancer studies in Denmark |
INTERPHONE(Cancer Epidemiology) |
As part of the INTERPHONE project, two epidemiological studies on the association between mobile phone use and brain cancers have been published by researchers drawn mainly from Danish hospitals, universities and the Danish Cancer Society. The first study investigated the possible effect of mobile phone usage on the risk of acoustic neuroma and was published in 2004. The second focussed on brain cancer and was published a year later. Neither study found an increased risk among mobile phone users. |
| INTERPHONE: Mobile phone brain cancer study in Germany |
INTERPHONE(Cancer Epidemiology) |
Adding to a growing list of completed national INTERPHONE projects, medical researchers in Germany have published their epidemiological study on the association of mobile and cordless phone use with two types of brain cancer, glioma* and meningioma†. The researchers were mostly medical statisticians and epidemiologists from various research bodies in Germany and were led by Dr Joachim Schüz. The study was funded by contributions from the EU Fifth Framework Program, German Federal and state government bodies and, via the International Union Against Cancer, from the GSM Association and the Mobile Manufacturers Forum. The study was published in the American Journal of Epidemiology in January 2006. |
| INTERPHONE: Mobile phone brain cancer studies in Sweden |
INTERPHONE(Cancer Epidemiology) |
Researchers from the Swedish Karolinska Institute have published two epidemiological studies on the association between mobile phone use and brain cancers. The first study found no increased risk for acoustic neuroma for less than 10 years use, but did report an increased risk for long term (>10 year use), particularly for same side exposures. The second study focussed on glioma and meningioma brain cancers and found no increased risk for phone use. |
| INTERPHONE: Mobile phone brain cancer study in the UK |
INTERPHONE(Cancer Epidemiology) |
As part of the INTERPHONE project, UK medical researchers have published a large epidemiological study on the association between mobile phone use and the brain cancer, glioma*. The researchers were mostly medical statisticians and epidemiologists from various Centres and Institutes in England. The study was published on line in the British Medical Journal in January 2006. |
| GSM900 study of DMBA induced rat mammary tumours at Zhejiang University |
PERFORM-A (Animal Cancer Studies) |
This animal study investigated the effect of long-term 900 MHz GSM (GSM900) exposures on the development and growth of mammary tumours induced in rats by a low dose chemical carcinogen. Researchers from the Zhejiang University School of Medicine (China) conducted the study using an exposure system supplied by IT'IS (Switzerland) and with periodic external quality reviews. Preparations for the study began in 2001 and it was completed in 2005. The researchers report no effect of GSM900 signals on rat mammary tumour growth. The GSM Association (GSMA) and Mobile Manufacturers Forum (MMF) funded the study. |
| Overview of Animal Cancer Studies in Europe and China |
PERFORM-A (Animal Cancer Studies) |
Starting in 2001, four laboratories in Europe conducted a series of six animal studies investigating whether mobile phone signals at 900 MHz or 1800 MHz are carcinogenic or co-carcinogenic in rats and mice. Funding was received under the EU 5th Framework Program with sponsorship from the GSMA, the MMF, Elettra2000 and national authorities from Austria and Switzerland. In addition a related study was conducted in China with support from the GSMA and MMF. The University of Helsinki coordinated the programme and provided a firewall between the sponsors and the researchers. |
| Mobile phone exposure study in human ODC activity |
PERFORM-B (Replications) |
Researchers from the University of Kuopio, Finland, have collaborated with the Finish
Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK) to investigate the effects of GSM900
mobile phone type exposures and temperature changes on the chemical activity of the
cellular enzyme, ornithine decarboxylase (ODC). The study, published in 2006, found
that GSM900 exposures did not influence ODC activity directly, but that activity was
significantly reduced by a slight increase (0.8 - 0.9°C) in temperature. Funding for
this research was provided by the National Technology Agency (TEKES) Finland, the
GSM Association (GSMA) and the Mobile Manufacturer Forum (MMF). |
| Mobile phone genotoxicity study in human lymphocytes |
PERFORM-B (Replications) |
Two government research agencies from Italy and Britain have collaborated on a study to test
if GSM900 digital mobile phone exposure of human lymphocytes (white blood cells) causes
genetic damage or affects DNA repair mechanisms. The Italian researchers were from the
ENEA Section of Toxicology and Biomedical Science in Rome, and the British were from the
Radiation Protection Division of the Health Protection Agency (HPA). The study published
in May 2006 found no direct or indirect genetic effects caused by the mobile phone exposure.
The University of Helsinki administered the study funding, which was provided by the GSM
Association (GSMA) and Mobile Manufacturers Forum (MMF). |
| Overview of Follow-up Studies Programme |
PERFORM-B (Replications) |
Five laboratories in Europe conducted a series of animal and cell studies investigating previously reported claims of radiofrequency (RF) effects on genetic material, cell chemistry and brain function in rats. The exposures included digital mobile (GSM and DAMPS) signals in the 900 and 1800 MHz bands, as well as 2450 MHz signals. The University of Helsinki managed the overall program and provided a firewall between the sponsors and researchers. Funding was received from the MMF, the GSMA, Elettra2000 and national authorities from France (CNRS), Italy (ENEA), the UK (NRPB) and Finland (TEKES). The studies were conducted 2002 –2004 and reporting has begun. |
| Four French studies fail to replicate reports of microwave brain effects in rats exposed to pulsed 2450 MHz exposures |
PERFORM-B (Replications) |
Researchers from the French Université Louis Pasteur-CNRS published four studies in 2004 and 2005 which aimed to replicate reports of brain disturbances in rats subjected to moderate and high levels of pulsed 2450 MHz radiofrequency (RF) exposures. The same equipment was used in the replications with supporting exposure analysis from IT’IS (Switzerland). None of the replications confirmed the original results. These studies were partially funded by the GSM Association (GSMA) and Mobile Manufacturers Forum (MMF). |
| EMF-NET: Scientific Support for Policies |
Scientific Review |
EMF-NET is an initiative of the European Commission (EC) to provide a coordinating framework for directing and reviewing bioelectromagnetics research in Europe. It also has a recognised role to provide authoritative advice to Europeans on all aspects of the safety of exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) ranging in frequency from static fields to infra-red. EMF-NET began in March 2004 and is scheduled to continue until February 2008. |
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