Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40809778›Full record

ArticleFrontiers in public health2025

A scoping review and evidence map of radiofrequency field exposure and genotoxicity: assessing

Steven G Weller, Julie E McCredden, Victor Leach, Cordia Chu, Alfred King-Yin Lam

Abstract readScoping Review
In one paragraph

Article in Frontiers in public health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Steven G WellerCentre for Environment and Population Health, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, Australia.
Julie E McCreddenOceania Radiofrequency Scientific Advisory Association Inc. (ORSAA), Scarborough, QLD, Australia.
Victor LeachOceania Radiofrequency Scientific Advisory Association Inc. (ORSAA), Scarborough, QLD, Australia.
Cordia ChuCentre for Environment and Population Health, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, Australia.
Alfred King-Yin LamDepartment of Pathology, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Southport, QLD, Australia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Studies investigating genotoxic effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure (3 kHz-300 GHz) have used a wide variety of parameters, and results have been inconsistent. A systematic mapping of existing research is necessary to identify emerging patterns and to inform future research and policy. Methods: Evidence mapping was conducted using guidance from the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). A comprehensive search strategy was applied across multiple research databases, using specific inclusion and exclusion criteria within each knowledge domain. Quantitative aggregation using tables, graphs and heat maps was used to synthesize data according to study type, organism type, exposure level and duration, biological markers (genotoxicity, cellular stress, apoptosis), RF-EMF signal characteristics, as well as funding source to further contextualize the evidence landscape. Quality criteria were applied as part of a focused analysis to explore potential biases and their effects on outcomes. Results: Over 500 pertinent studies were identified, categorized as Conclusion: The collective evidence reveals that RF-EMF exposures may be genotoxic and could pose a cancer risk. Exposure duration and real-world signals are the most important factors influencing genotoxicity, warranting further focused research. To address potential genotoxic risks, these findings support the adoption of precautionary measures alongside existing thermal-based exposure guidelines.

Indexed as

DNA DamageElectromagnetic FieldsEnvironmental ExposureRadio WavesHumansapoptosiscancerelectromagnetic radiationgenotoxicityoxidative stressradio frequencieswireless technology

Identifiers

PMID40809778
PMCPMC12343714

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.