‘Virtually No Research’ on 5G Wireless Impact on Human Health

If you've ever wondered whether anyone is still studying what wireless radiation does to our bodies, the answer might surprise — and concern — you. According to a new report from Science, Public Health Policy and the Law, the U.S. government's National Toxicology Program (NTP) has no plans to continue studying the biological effects of cellphone radiofrequency radiation, despite a 10-year, $30 million study that found "clear evidence" of cancer and DNA damage in rats exposed to older 2G and 3G cellphone radiation.

That study, completed in 2018, found "clear evidence" of malignant heart tumors in male rats, "some evidence" of malignant brain tumors, and evidence of adrenal gland tumors. Yet in January 2024, the NTP announced it would not pursue follow-up research — including, notably, any dedicated study of newer 5G technology.

Why did the research stop?

John Bucher, Ph.D., a former senior scientist who oversaw the original study as NTP's associate director, told The Defender the decision came down to a "convergence" of factors: technical problems, a lack of interest from regulatory agencies in continuing the studies, retirement of key staff who had driven the work, and competing priorities within the program. Bucher said he personally would have pushed harder to continue the research, though he couldn't say the outcome would have been different.

What this means in plain terms: the most rigorous government study to date found concerning biological effects from older-generation cellphone radiation — and rather than digging deeper, the agency walked away. For 5G specifically, there's essentially no dedicated government research filling that gap.

What this means for your family

For parents and homebuyers already thinking carefully about EMF exposure, this news is a reminder that regulatory silence isn't the same as a clean bill of health. With official research stalled, many households are choosing to be proactive about reducing everyday exposure where it's easiest to control — in the home.

That might mean looking at the appliances you use daily. For instance, choosing low-EMF air purifiers can help you improve indoor air quality without adding unnecessary electromagnetic emissions to a child's bedroom or nursery. Similarly, parents focused on daily routines might consider low-EMF hair dryers, since handheld devices are used close to the head and body. For those buying or renovating a home near cell towers or in dense urban areas, EMF shielding paint is another option worth understanding before making decisions about where and how to reduce exposure.

None of this is about panic — it's about making informed choices while the official research remains, by the government's own admission, incomplete.

Originally reported by Science, Public Health Policy and the Law