This paper written by M. Havas attempts to resolve the debate about whether non-ionizing radiation (NIR) can cause cancer–a debate that has been ongoing for decades. The rationale, put forward mostly by physicists and accepted by many health agencies, is that, “since NIR does not have enough energy to dislodge electrons, it is unable to cause cancer.” This argument is based on a flawed assumption and uses the model of ionizing radiation (IR) to explain NIR, which is inappropriate. Evidence of free-radical damage has been repeatedly documented among humans, animals, plants and microorganisms for both extremely low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic fields (EMF) and for radio frequency (RF) radiation, neither of which is ionizing. While IR directly damages DNA, NIR interferes with the oxidative repair mechanisms resulting in oxidative stress, damage to cellular components including DNA, and damage to cellular processes leading to cancer. Furthermore, free-radical damage explains the increased cancer risks associated with mobile phone use, occupational exposure to NIR (ELF EMF and RFR), and residential exposure to power lines and RF transmitters including mobile phones, cell phone base stations, broadcast antennas, and radar installations.
Main Findings
- Non-ionizing radiation, such as ELF EMF and RF radiation, can cause cancer through a mechanism of interfering with oxidative repair mechanisms and causing oxidative stress, damage to cellular components including DNA, and damage to cellular processes.
- This explains the increased cancer risks associated with exposures to sources of non-ionizing radiation like mobile phones, power lines, and other RF transmitters.
- The prevailing view that non-ionizing radiation cannot cause cancer because it does not have enough energy to directly damage DNA is flawed, as the evidence shows it can indirectly cause cancer through free-radical damage and disruption of cellular processes.