Saturday Nov 12, 2016 (foodconsumer.org) -- Findings from a study conducted by the U.S. Toxicology Program suggest that use of smartphones for a long term can increase not only increase risk of malignant brain tumor called glioma and glial cell hyperplasia, but also heart problems.

The findings are consistent with the conclusion of International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) regarding the possible carcinogenic potential of radiofrequency radiation (RFR) from smartphones and other wireless devices.

For the study, rats were exposed to RFR from Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) wireless network used by Verizon or Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) network used by AT&T nine hours per day, seven days a week for two years.

The tested whole-body specific absorption rate (SAR) was 0, 1.5, 3 or 6 w/kg body weight.

As a result, up to 3.3% of male rats exposed to either GSM or CDMA types of RFR developed malignant brain tumor (glioma).  And up to 2.2% male rats exposed to RFR developed Glial cell hyperplasia.  These lesions were found in none of the control rats that were not exposed to RFR.

Of female rats, 1.1% exposed to GSM at 6w/kg were found to develop glioma and 2.2% exposed to CDMA at 1.5 w/kg developed glioma.  Both types of RFR increased risk for glial cell hyperplasia in female rats.  None of control female rats developed any condition.

Exposure to GSM or CDMA modulated RFR also caused heart problems - Schwannoma and Schwann cell hyperplasia in both male and female rats. (David Liu)