National Cancer Institute is expected to bear on the 

accuracy and repeatability of these results.

1

2

Researchers conducted a large battery of laboratory tests to 

assess the effects of exposure to mobile phone RF on 

genetic material. These included tests for several kinds of 

abnormalities, including mutations, chromosomal 

aberrations, DNA strand breaks, and structural changes in 

the genetic material of blood cells called lymphocytes. None 

of the tests showed any effect of the RF except for the 

micronucleus assay, which detects structural effects on the 

genetic material. The cells in this assay showed changes 

after exposure to simulated cell phone radiation, but only 

after 24 hours of exposure. It is possible that exposing the 

test cells to radiation for this long resulted in heating. Since 

this assay is known to be sensitive to heating, heat alone 

could have caused the abnormalities to occur. The data 

already in the literature on the response of the 

micronucleus assay to RF are conflicting. Thus, follow up 

research is necessary.

2

FDA is currently working with government, industry, and 

academic groups to ensure the proper follow up to these 

industry funded research findings. Collaboration with the 

Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA) in 

particular is expected to lead to FDA providing research 

recommendations and scientific oversight of new CTIA funded 

research based on such recommendations.

Two other studies of interest have been reported recently in the 

literature:

1

Two groups of 18 people were exposed to simulated mobile 

phone signals under laboratory conditions while they 

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