GSMA: PERFORM-B - Overview of Confirmation Studies Program

The objective of these studies (known collectively as PERFORM-B) was to resolve a number of prominent but unconfirmed research findings of RF in vitro (cellular) and in vivo (animal) effects. In summary, the original genotoxicity study had reported effects when mobile phone type signals were combined with a chemical (mitomycin C) known to cause genetic damage, however, in a later publication the same group was unable to confirm this result. ODC (ornithine decarboxylase) is a marker of cell proliferation and the original study had reported a small increase in the rate of growth of tumour cells following exposure to radio signals. Finally, a series of studies had reported effects on rat behaviour and brain function following exposure to a pulsed signal at 2450 MHz.

Five laboratories in Europe conducted a series of animal and cell studies to investigate the previous reports. In this programme, collaborating pairs of laboratories from different institutions conducted the new studies to improve quality and consistency. The main emphasis was on follow-up rather than on mechanistic investigations. Where the researchers deemed it appropriate, they made modifications to the previous study protocols to follow current best practice in experimental design.

The University of Helsinki managed the overall program and provided a firewall between the sponsors and researchers. Funding was received from the MMF, the GSMA, Elettra2000 and national authorities from France (CNRS), Italy (ENEA), the UK (NRPB) and Finland (TEKES).

The studies were conducted 2002 -2004 and reporting in the scientific literature is underway. The final report is also available for PERFORM-B (PDF, 4,3mb.