{
  "id": "studies:iarc-2b-rf-2011",
  "collection": "studies",
  "slug": "iarc-2011-rf-group-2b",
  "name": "IARC classification of radiofrequency fields as Group 2B (2011)",
  "summary": "IARC classified radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B) based on limited evidence for glioma and acoustic neuroma from heavy mobile phone use.",
  "status": "verified",
  "lastVerified": "2026-08-12",
  "data": {
    "authors": "IARC Monograph Working Group",
    "year": 2011,
    "design": "classification",
    "exposure": "Radiofrequency electromagnetic fields, primarily from mobile phone handsets held to the head",
    "finding": "Group 2B: possibly carcinogenic to humans. The classification rested on limited evidence in humans for glioma and acoustic neuroma among the heaviest users in case–control data, and limited evidence in experimental animals.",
    "limitations": "Group 2B is a statement about the strength of evidence, not about the size of any risk. The same category contains agents whose evidence is weak but not dismissible. The classification does not quantify risk, does not establish causation, and predates the NTP and Ramazzini animal studies and the 2024 WHO-commissioned review.",
    "weight": "hazard-classification",
    "url": "https://www.iarc.who.int/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/pr208_E.pdf",
    "related": [
      "emitters:smartphone",
      "studies:interphone-2010",
      "studies:who-rf-review-2024"
    ]
  },
  "sources": [
    {
      "id": "iarc-2b-rf",
      "title": "IARC classifies radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B), Press Release N° 208",
      "publisher": "International Agency for Research on Cancer",
      "url": "https://www.iarc.who.int/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/pr208_E.pdf",
      "year": 2011,
      "kind": "government",
      "retrieved": "2026-08-12"
    },
    {
      "id": "who-emf-rf",
      "title": "Radiation: Electromagnetic fields (questions and answers)",
      "publisher": "World Health Organization",
      "url": "https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/radiation-electromagnetic-fields",
      "kind": "government",
      "retrieved": "2026-08-12"
    }
  ],
  "links": {
    "self": "https://emfbase.com/api/studies/iarc-2011-rf-group-2b",
    "html": "https://emfbase.com/studies/iarc-2011-rf-group-2b",
    "markdown": "https://emfbase.com/studies/iarc-2011-rf-group-2b.md",
    "collection": "https://emfbase.com/api/studies"
  }
}