Mammalian teratogenesis and radio-frequency fields

Evidence of teratogenesis after exposure to radio-frequency (RF) electromagnetic (EM) fields has been sought in investigations of several species. This review summarizes reports of teratogenic effects in mammals. Investigations performed on the laboratory mouse and rat have revealed that exposure to intense RF fields can result in reduced body mass, in specific anatomical abnormalities (especially exencephaly), and in an increase in resorptions of the fetus. The small number of investigations and clinical reports on human subjects is inconclusive. Whether the reported teratogenesis in infrahuman mammals is derived primarily from thermal stress or results from interactions involving field specific effects and heating has not been determined. The data to date do indicate that there is a marked dose-response relation such that only intense fields that result in significant heating are associated with reliable induction of teratogenesis.