A Critical Analysis of the World Health Organization (WHO) Systematic Review 2024 on Radiofrequency Radiation Exposure and Cancer Risks

Radiofrequency (RF) radiation was in 2011 classified as a possible human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) at the WHO. Currently the WHO undertakes a systematic review of human studies on the cancer risks. In a publication by Karipidis et al (2024), commissioned by the WHO, it was argued that based on all available studies there would be “moderate certanity evidence” that mobile phone use “likely does not increase the risk of glioma, meningioma, acoustic neuroma, pituitary tumours, and salivary gland tumours in adults, or of paediatric brain tumours.” However, the authors have overlooked results showing increased risks for brain tumours in the most exposed groups, the most exposed part of the head, and longest latency time from first exposure to tumour diagnosis. The authors also claimed that there would be “moderate certainty evidence” that transmitters and mobile phone base stations do not increase the risk of pediatric leukaemia. These conclusions are based on selective inclusion of very few and low exposure studies. This WHO evaluation is contradicted by scientific results that show increased risks of cancer from exposure to RF-radiation from mobile and cordless phones, transmitters, and base stations. Other scientists have concluded, after reviewing the available evidence, that RF-radiation may increase the risk of cancer. This article analysis the Karipidis et al review and highlight several errors, omissions, and conflicts of interests that may explain the conclusions of no cancer risk. The flawed evaluation of scientific facts should lead to retraction of the article.