Misleading Scientific Papers on Health Effects from Wireless Communication Devices

Extensive research has been conducted in recent years on how radiofrequency fields (RF) generated by mobile phones and other wireless communication devices might affect health. However, so far, no scientific consensus is reached. On the one hand there are reports from independent international expert groups who claim that there are no solid indications that such fields may impair human health, on the other hand there are numerous published scientific papers showing alarming effects on virtually all investigated endpoints. Members of ‘action groups’ and ‘engaged citizens’ are essentially aware of the frightening data and hence they do not understand how authorities and health agencies do not seem that much alarmed. We have performed a literature search over an approximately two year period on in vitro and in vivo experimental studies and found that 85% of the papers indeed reported adverse bio effects. However, many of the papers are deficient in one or many ways and are not seldom published in non-specialized journals with poor quality control. Looking at specialized peer reviewed scientific journals the number of papers reporting bio effects drops to about 50%. From these many report only minor (not necessarily adverse) effects, while others report effects at high exposure levels usually not found in our daily life. This explains the more reassuring attitude of expert groups and authorities. It should be realized yet that lack of consistency in scientific data does not means lack of effect and that a simple application of the precautionary approach is still needed.