Eduskunnan Kansalaisinfo, Finnish Parliament, Helsinki, 8th October 2019. Discussion about risk management related to mobile technology.

1. Hardell Research Group’s
Findings:
Radiofrequency Radiation
and Cancer
Researcher (PhD) Mikko Ahonen
Eduskunnan Kansalaisinfo, Finnish Parliament, Helsinki, 8th October 2019

2. PhD Mikko Ahonen (www.mikkoahonen.com):
- Risk-management & bioelectromagnetics research 2008-2019.
In professor, MD Lennart Hardell’s research group
- Earlier: Researcher (PhD) 25 years at the University of Tampere
& Mid Sweden University. Also worked at TeliaSonera.
- Responsible for RF/ELF-measurements & dosimetry in Hardell
group
- Wireless Education non-profit
- Technology safety educator
• Earlier (2009-2016) a partner in a (closed down) family company

3. Examples of studies – Hardell Group
• E
Carlberg, M., Hedendahl, L., Ahonen, M.,
Koppel, T., & Hardell, L. (2016). Increasing
incidence of thyroid cancer in the Nordic
countries with main focus on Swedish
data. BMC Cancer, 16, 426.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27388603
Hardell, L., Koppel, T., Carlberg, M.,
Ahonen, M., & Hedendahl, L. (2016).
Radiofrequency radiation at Stockholm
Central Railway Station in Sweden and
some medical aspects on public
exposure to RF fields. International
Journal of Oncology, 49(4), 1315–1324.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27633090

4. The WHO/International Agency for Research on
Cancer (IARC) has classified radiofrequency (RF)
electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic
to humans (Group 2B), based on an increased
risk for glioma, a malignant type of brain cancer,
associated with wireless phone use.
IARC/WHO 2011:
http://www.iarc.fr/en/media-centre/pr/2011/pdfs/pr208_E.pdf
(Classification covers all RF-transmitters. Co-effect? Total RF-exposure? )

5. IARC 2011: “reduce exposure”
"Given the potential consequences for public health of this
classification and findings," said IARC Director Christopher Wild,
… "it is important that additional research be conducted into the
long‐term, heavy use of mobile phones.
… Pending the availability of such information, it is important to
take pragmatic measures to reduce exposure such as hands‐free
devices or texting."

6. Example: Hardell group – glioma (& acoustic neuroma)
• Carlberg, M., Koppel, T., Ahonen, M., & Hardell, L. (2017). Case-control study on
occupational exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields and
glioma risk. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 60(5), 494–503.
https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.22707
• Hardell, L., & Carlberg, M. (2015a). Mobile phone and cordless phone use and the risk
for glioma – Analysis of pooled case-control studies in Sweden, 1997–2003 and
2007–2009. Pathophysiology, 22(1), 1–13.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pathophys.2014.10.001
• Hardell, L., & Carlberg, M. (2015b). Mobile phone and cordless phone use and the risk
for glioma—Analysis of pooled case-control studies in Sweden, 1997-2003 and
2007-2009. Pathophysiology: The Official Journal of the International Society for
Pathophysiology, 22(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pathophys.2014.10.001
• Hardell, L., Carlberg, M., & Hansson Mild, K. (2011). Pooled analysis of case-control
studies on malignant brain tumours and the use of mobile and cordless phones
including living and deceased subjects. International Journal of Oncology, 38(5),
1465–1474. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2011.947
• Hardell, L., Carlberg, M., & Hansson Mild, K. (2013). Use of mobile phones and
cordless phones is associated with increased risk for glioma and acoustic
neuroma. Pathophysiology, 20(2), 85–110.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pathophys.2012.11.001

7. Paradigm change ?
- 2 worlds’ biggest animal studies
show same Schwan cell / nerv cell tumors
First, U.S. National Toxicology
Program (NTP) study found wireless
radiation caused DNA damage, and
brain and heart tumours in rodents
at the non-thermal level (NTP, 2016),
lower than the current ICNIRP
guideline for mobile phones 
Classification: Clear evidence of
cancer (2018).
What is interesting: In human beings Schwan cell tumors
in the hearing nerve  Acoustic neurome
Image source: the IEEE
https://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/newsroom/releases/2018/november1/index.cfm

8. Experts review of draft NTP animal studies –Mar 2018
Eleven experts convened by the National Toxicology Program (NTP)
to review the draft technical reports from the NTP's cell phone
radiation studies concluded that:
there is "clear evidence" that exposure to cell phone radiation
caused a rare cancer in the hearts Schwann cells) of male rats, and
there is equivocal evidence" for the hearts of female rats
March 28, 2018

9. Instituto Ramazzini – Max 50 V/m - Only 1 antenna !
Also Schwan cell tumors in the hearts of rats
(Odd co-incidence)
 Falcioni et al. (2018):
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29530389

10. The Classical Sir Bradford-Hill criteria
for causation, 1965  Also RF & Cancer
Strength of association :
- Consistency
- Temporality
- Specificity (of effect)
- Biological gradient
- Biological Plausibility
- Coherence
- Analogy
- Experiment (ie prevention worked)
…..But what weight in 2019, given multi-causality and complexity ?
Bradford Hill, The Environment & Disease: Association or Causation?”, Proc Roy.
Soc Med ,1965, 58, 295-300. Reproduced in David Gee, EEA,2013. See also
Chapter in EEA Late Lessons of Early Warnings:

11. • All Bradford-Hill criteria fullfilled, already several years ago
• Related to RF Radiation and cancer (GBM tumors)  specifically
mobile and cordless (DECT) phones
Authors comment: ” Conclusion. RF radiation should be
regarded as a human carcinogen causing glioma.”
• Please, watch also Lennart Hardell’s video presentation in the
Royal Society of Medicine in London.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6_oLdl_kKY
Carlberg, M., & Hardell, L. (2017). Evaluation of Mobile
Phone and Cordless Phone Use and Glioma Risk Using
the Bradford Hill Viewpoints from 1965 on Association or
Causation. BioMed Research International, 2017, 9218486.
https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/9218486

12. Review & meta-analyses showing risk of
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM)
Philips, A., Henshaw, D. L., Lamburn, G., & O’Carroll, M. J. (2018). Brain
Tumours: Rise in Glioblastoma Multiforme Incidence in England 1995-
2015 Suggests an Adverse Environmental or Lifestyle Factor. Journal of
Environmental and Public Health, 2018, 7910754.
https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/7910754
Bortkiewicz, A., Gadzicka, E., & Szymczak, W. (2017). Mobile phone use
and risk for intracranial tumors and salivary gland tumors - A meta-
analysis. International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental
Health, 30(1), 27–43. https://doi.org/10.13075/ijomeh.1896.00802
Prasad, M., Kathuria, P., Nair, P., Kumar, A., & Prasad, K. (2017). Mobile
phone use and risk of brain tumours: a systematic review of
association between study quality, source of funding, and research
outcomes. Neurological Sciences: Official Journal of the Italian Neurological
Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-017-2850-8

13. 21.9.2004
De nordiska strålskyddsmyndigheterna har publicerat ett
gemensamt ställningstagande
“Utvecklingen av mobiltelefonin har varit snabb och idag använder 80-90
procent av befolkningen i nordiska länderna mobiltelefon. Den utbredda
användningen innebär att även en mycket liten risk skulle kunna få
konsekvenser för folkhälsan.
En väl beprövad princip inom all riskhantering är att om det finns enkla
och billiga sätt att minska exponeringen för ett ämne eller en verksamhet
så bör man göra det även om den vetenskapliga misstanken om
hälsoeffekter är svag eller osäker.
De nordiska myndigheterna menar att det är klokt att, t.ex. använda
handsfree-utrustning som minskar exponeringen till huvudet
avsevärt. Denna information bör riktas till vuxna, ungdomar och
barn. Det är viktigt att föräldrar informerar barn och ungdomar om
de olika sätt som finns att minska exponeringen.
Redan i
2004!
STRÅLSÄKERHETSCENTRALEN
http://docplayer.se/37224327-Stralskyddsnytt-nytt-om-elektromagnetiska-falt-och-halsorisker-nr-argang-22-innehall-4-2004.html , s.3

14. About mobile phones

15. Utan mobildata bara 1 gång per 30 minuter
”berättar” mobiltelefonen läget till basstationen.

16. Med mobildata + apps, belastningen (starka RF-spikar
speciellt i 4G data) nästan varje sekund. Gäller också
läsplattor.
Ärztekammer Wien / Wien Läkarförbund – 10 Råd :
https://www.aekwien.at/medizinische-handy-regeln
- Stäng av mobildata (&Wi-Fi)!

17. Fortfarande har man bättre täckning med 3G (UMTS) +
RF-strålningsnivåer är (mycket) lägre än med 4G (LTE)
(Gäller både mobiltelefoner och router !! )
Källa: Cellraid - http://www.cellraid.com

18. PHONEGATE – More serious thand VW DIESELGATE ?
Allowed
SAR-value
2 W/kg
https://www.phonegatealert.org/en

19. RELATED TO PHONEGATE:
“Most cell phones will exceed the safety guidelines by factors of 1.6-3.7 times for
the European/ICNIRP standard or by factors as high as 11 if 1-g SAR values were
to be measured as required by the U.S. FCC.
Gandhi, O. P. (2019). Microwave Emissions From Cell Phones Exceed Safety
Limits in Europe and the US When Touching the Body. IEEE Access, 7, 47050–
47052. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2019.2906017 --> “Every millimeter counts”

20. From mobile phone’s handbook:
From tablet’s handbook:
handbok:
http://www.mmfai.org/public/sarpdf/eng/3gs_sar.pdf
http://manuals.info.apple.com/en_US/iPad_iOS4_Important_Product_Info.pdf

21. Physiological differences: Child vs. adult
(Case: How microwaves absorb into a head, 835 MHz)
Gandhi et al. (1996) , också Wiart et al. (2008), de Salles (2008)
In child’s bone marrow microwave radiation is 10 times stronger than in adults
bone marrow. (Christ et al. (2010); Peyman & Gabriel (2010)) About 5G we do not
know enough. Sweat ducts in skin possibly direct 5G-radiation deeper into the
body (Betzalel et al., 2018) ).
Why manufacturers recommend in the handbook to keep a mobile telephone about 2 cm away from the body?
http://showthefineprint.org/

22. European Environmental Agency (EEA) on Mobile phones
“Mobile phones have numerous social, economic and even
environmental benefits. However, there is significant disagreement
in the scientific community about whether mobile phone use
increases the risk of head cancers.
We recommend using the precautionary principle to guide policy
decisions in cases like this. ..although our understanding is
incomplete, this should not prevent policy makers from taking
preventative action”
EEA website, 2011. https://www.eea.europa.eu/

23. About base stations

24. International Journal of Occupational and Environmental
Health 2010;16:263–267
Reviewed all epidemiological studies
of mobile phone base stations:
“increased prevalence of
adverse neurobehavioral symptoms or cancer
in populations living at distances
< 500 meter from base stations”.

25. Epidemiological studies:
Radio & TV-masts:
Effect: Dolk et al. (1997a), Hocking & Gordon (2003), Ha et al.
(2007), Mascarinec et al. (1994, Michelozzi et al. (2002),
Morton & Phillips (1983), Park et al. (2004), Satta et al. (2018)
[more leukemia and lymphoma]
No effect: Dolk et al. (1997b), Mersenich et al. (2008)
Mobile phone base stations:
Effect: Abdel-Rassoul et al. (2007),
Eger et al. (2004), Hutter et al. (2006), Gadzicka et al. (2004)
Navarro et al. (2003), Santini et al. (2003),
Wolf & Wolf (2004), Blettner et al. (2008), Eger & Jahn (2010), Dode
et al. (2011) [adverse neurobehavioral problems + cancer]
No effect: Meyer et al.(2006), Berg-Beckhoff et al.(2009)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20662418
http://www.chronicexposure.org

26. Cell towers / base stations by Hardell-group
• Koppel, T., Ahonen, M., Carlberg, M., Hedendahl, L. K., & Hardell, L. (2019). Radiofrequency
radiation from nearby mobile phone base stations-a case comparison of one low and
one high exposure apartment. Oncology Letters. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2019.10899
• Hardell, L., Koppel, T., Carlberg, M., Ahonen, M., & Hedendahl, L. (2016). Radiofrequency
radiation at Stockholm Central Railway Station in Sweden and some medical aspects on
public exposure to RF fields. International Journal of Oncology, 49(4), 1315–1324.
https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2016.3657
• Hardell, L., Carlberg, M., Hedendahl, L. K., Koppel, T., & Ahonen, M. (2018). Environmental
radiofrequency radiation at the Järntorget Square in Stockholm Old Town, Sweden in
May, 2018 compared with results on brain and heart tumour risks in rats exposed to 1.8
GHz base station environmental emissions. World Academy of Sciences Journal, 1(1), 47–
54. https://doi.org/10.3892/wasj.2018.5
• Carlberg, M., Hedendahl, L., Koppel, T., & Hardell, L. (2018). High ambient radiofrequency
radiation in Stockholm city, Sweden. Oncology Letters. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2018.9789
• Hardell, L., Carlberg, M., & Hedendahl, L. K. (2018). Radiofrequency radiation from nearby
base stations gives high levels in an apartment in Stockholm, Sweden: A case report.
Oncology Letters. Retrieved from http://www.spandidos-
publications.com/10.3892/ol.2018.8285/abstract
• Hardell, L., Carlberg, M., Koppel, T., & Hedendahl, L. (2017). High radiofrequency radiation
at Stockholm Old Town: An exposimeter study including the Royal Castle, Supreme
Court, three major squares and the Swedish Parliament. Molecular and Clinical Oncology,
6(4), 462–476. https://doi.org/10.3892/mco.2017.1180

27. Reference: Belyaev (2005), REFLEX (2004)

28. .
 Maximum exposure from base stations was 0,18 mW/m² in 2001 !!!
6 minute average measured by SSI.
https://www.stralsakerhetsmyndigheten.se/contentassets/afd18c3b115b4a50b09f5c3d
f93fa6e2/200109-exponering-for-radiofrekventa-falt-och-mobiltelefoni

29. An example from Stockholm, Skeppsbrogatan, Gamla
Stan, spring 2019:
- SSM (the follower of SSI) measured 650 mW/m² (6
minute average)
- Hardell-group measured also there: 30 V/m = 2400
mW/m² = 2.4 W/m² (peak (!) values with Narda NBM-520)
- Major Source: an updated 4G base base station with
massive amount of antennas ? ? ? (Was installed really
low, at 2,5 meter height, exposure measured on a
boardwalk.)

30. 5G-mobiililaitteista
About 5G mobile devices

31. Worlds first 5G smartphone (mod/cover)
- with health warning (?) related to millimeter
wave (MMW) and 26 GHz antenna.
https://www.androidauthority.com/5g-moto-mod-radiation-954955/
https://fccid.io/IHDT56XL1/RF-Exposure-Info/PD-Simulation-report-0213-Appendices-4170292
“The control mechanism is a simple one
in which, if proximity detectors indicate
the potential presence of the user within a
roughly conical region in front of the module
where power density may approach the
MPE [Maximum Permissable Exposure]
limit, that module is disabled from use
by the modem.
This terminates and prevents transmission
from the module in question until the
condition is cleared”
 What could happen, if ‘control
mechanism’ does not work ?!?!

32. Varje 5G mobiltelefon kommer att innehålla en stor
mängd av (5G) antenn
Källa: https://www.slashgear.com/qualcomms-5g-antennas-just-made-a-huge-breakthrough-23538456/
“Up to four of these modules can be
integrated into a smartphone at once,
giving each device a grand total of 16
antennas to work with”
Storlek av en ”antenn array”,
mindre än en mynt

33. Många ”antenna array” i bruk, med riktad stråle
Ojaroudiparchin, N., Shen, M., & Pedersen, G. F. (2015). Multi-layer 5G mobile
phone antenna for multi-user MIMO communications. 2015 23rd
Telecommunications Forum Telfor (℡FOR), 559–562.
https://doi.org/10.1109/telfor.2015.7377529

34. 5G Base stations / 5G-tukiasemat

35. “Development”
 From 4G(LTE) to real 5G
Källa: xgpforum.com

36. Massive MIMO – Multiple Input Multiple Output
There can be hundreds of antennas / basestation!
"Our simulation results suggest the
downlink of a Fifth Generation Cellular
Mobile Communications (5G) system
can generate significantly higher
power density (PD) and specific
absorption rate (SAR) than the
previous generations of wireless
systems."
Nasim, I., & Kim, S. (2019). Mitigation of human EMF
exposure in downlink of 5G. Annals of
Telecommunications, 74(1), 45–52.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12243-018-0696-6
Bild: Törnevik, ITU 2017

37. A huge amount of antennas makes it (almost) impossible to
drive 5G in countries with healthier guidance levels
 Safety area 115 meters around antennas !!
Källa: https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-T/Workshops-and-
Seminars/20171205/Documents/S3_Christer_Tornevik.pdf

38. Beamforming – many antennas directed to same spot
"However, since the radiation is concentrated into selected portions of
territory, there may be an increase of EMFs in these points".
Chiaraviglio, L., Cacciapuoti, A. S., Martino, G. D., Fiore, M., Montesano, M.,
Trucchi, D., & Melazzi, N. B. (2018). Planning 5G Networks Under EMF
Constraints: State of the Art and Vision. IEEE Access, 6, 51021–51037.
https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2018.2868347

39. With Beamforming and Massive MIMO the RF-exposure
can be higher that existing (ICNIRP) guidelines in Nordic
countries
Neufeld, E., & Kuster, N. (2018). Systematic Derivation of Safety Limits
for Time-varying 5g Radiofrequency Exposure Based on
Analytical Models and Thermal Dose.
Health Physics, 115(6), 705–711. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30247338
“The results also show that the peak-to-average ratio of 1,000
tolerated by the ICNIRP guidelines may lead to permanent tissue damage
after even short exposures, highlighting the importance of revisiting existing
exposure guidelines.”

40. About radiofrequency radiation
and guidelines

41. Raytheon
Thermal dogma from 1950’s
- RF-Guidelines based only
on acute heating of tissues
History: https://www.slideshare.net/MAhonen/microwave-radiation-guidelines-and-debate-during-the-last-50-years
+ Book: Nicholas C. Steneck – The Microwave Debate

42. Thermal-based acute (6 minutes) ICNIRP/SSM-guideline
vs.
Biological, non-thermal 24/7 guidelines/recommendations
0
1000000
2000000
3000000
4000000
5000000
6000000
7000000
8000000
9000000
10000000
ICNIRP Russia Council of
Europe
EUROPAEM
10000000
100000 100 10
uW/m2
Please, note: ICNIRP-level is 100-1.000.000 times higher! http://www.icnirp.de
EMF Scientist Appeal. 200 researchers contact in 2015 the UN and require lower levels:
http://www.emfscientist.org
Comparison of guidelines: http://tinyurl.com/RF-Guideline1
European Academy of Environmental Medicine (EUROPAEM) & RF: http://tinyurl.com/emf-europaem
RF Radiation
power density
levels

43. Belyaev, I., Dean, A., Eger, H., Hubmann, G., Jandrisovits, R., Kern, M., … Thill,
R. (2016). EUROPAEM EMF Guideline 2016 for the prevention, diagnosis and
treatment of EMF-related health problems and illnesses. Reviews on

44. ICNIRP
International Commission
on Non-Ionizing
Radiation ‘Protection’
(a German foundation, http://www.icnirp.de)
Behind macro-level heating (only!)
focused guidelines
Honorary chair & founder:
Michael Repacholi
Makes reviews for: SSM Sweden & others
Have had members in
EU SCENIHR + COST 281
International EMF Project in WHO
Earlier chief: Michael Repacholi
Currently chief: Emilie Deventer
- Early funding from mobile industry *
- Utilised Industry-damage-control
partner Gradient Corp for
health reviews **
Uses ICNIRP as
the only (!)
“in-house expert”
Provides a review
of guidelines
“environmental
health criteria
(EHC)”
Experts with conflict of interest –
existing EMF-guidelines do not protect
https://microwavenews.com/docs/MWN.11(9)-06.pdf
http://www.emfcall.org
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5504984/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1849947/
https://tinyurl.com/drop-anders
http://ro.uow.edu.au/theses/3148
http://estsjournal.org/article/view/41/33
http://www.emfscientist.org

45. Journalists of Investigate Europe looked what kind of
Cartel (their expression) is related to RF-guidelines
http://investigate-europe.eu/publications/how-much-is-safe/

46. The 5G Appeal – 200 researchers warn:
“We the undersigned, …, recommend a moratorium on the roll-
out of the fifth generation, 5G, for telecommunication until
potential hazards for human health and the environment have
been fully investigated by scientists independent from
industry.
5G will substantially increase exposure to radiofrequency
electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) on top of the 2G, 3G, 4G, Wi-Fi,
etc. for telecommunications already in place. RF-EMF has been
proven to be harmful for humans and the environment. “
http://www.5gappeal.eu

47. EXTRA: About energy use – 5G

48. From IEEE Spectrum :
http://spectrum.ieee.org/energywise/energy/environment/smart-phones-uses-as-much-energy-as-a-refrigerator

49. The faster speed,
the more energy consumption in mobile connections
Baliga, J., Ayre, R., Hinton, K., & Tucker, R. S. (2011). Energy consumption in wired and wireless access
networks. IEEE Communications Magazine, 49(6), 70–77.
Passive optical network (PON) = fiber
 Fiber&ethernet-use is a green act !

50. "5G could increase total network energy consumption by
almost 200 percent over the next several years“
https://spectrum.ieee.org/telecom/wireless/5gs-waveform-is-a-battery-
vampire
“A 5G base station is generally expected to consume
roughly three times as much power as a 4G base station.
And more 5G base stations are needed to cover the same
area,”
https://www.itopstimes.com/itops/report-5g-could-increase-total-network-
energy-consumption-by-almost-200-percent-over-the-next-several-years/

51. PhD Mikko Ahonen
mikko . ahonen [ät] tutanota . com
http://www.mikkoahonen.com
Questions and comments welcome!