American study examines how the quality of a radio wave research effects results

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This meta-analysis examined 225 studies consisting of human, cellular and animal experiments specifically focussing on genetic damage from exposure to radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic energy. The meta-analysis assessed the quality of the studies by the presence or absence of four different parameters; blinding, adequately described dosimetry, positive controls and sham-exposed controls. The authors compared the reported results of each study against the assessed level of quality of these factors within the study. It was reported that studies with a high degree of quality in these parameters reported fewer, if any, effects from exposure to radio waves. Further, the authors observed that studies that reported no significant change in genetic damage of cells exposed to RF incorporated more quality control parameters into their experiments. Conversely, studies that reported increased damage in cells exposed to RF used fewer quality control parameters. The authors concluded that the use of quality control measures within experimental design are extremely important in order to provide a meaningful evaluation of any potential health risk from RF exposure.

Comprehensive Review of Quality of Publications and Meta-analysis of Genetic Damage in Mammalian Cells Exposed to Non-Ionizing Radiofrequency Fields

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This meta-analysis demonstrates the importance of evaluating evidence based on the quality of the methods used in studies while considering the reported biological and health effects.  This underlying principle of evidence evaluation to assess its strength is particularly topical with the current roll-out of the next generation of mobile telecommunications technology, 5G. Exposure to RF remains one of the most high profile public health concerns and also one of the most highly researched environmental agents in biomedical research. ARPANSA’s RF exposure standard sets limits based on the body of scientific evidence available and is designed to protect against the known harmful effects of RF exposure. The study by Vijayalaxmi and Prihoda TJ demonstrates the considerations the scientific community make when assessing the evidence for harm from exposure to RF. ARPANSA and other bodies such as the World Health Organisation and the International Commission on Non-ionzing Radiation Protection consider all studies in the assessment of their health advice concerning RF exposure. There is also an ARPANSA factsheet about how we assess scientific evidence (link). Based on evaluations for these organisations, and consistent with the conclusions of Vijayalaxmi et al, there is no established evidence of harmful effects from exposure to low-level RF exposure below the limits in the ARPANSA standard.