IARC is the International Agency for Research on Cancer, an agency of the World Health Organization (WHO). IARC's mission is to coordinate and conduct research on the causes of human cancer, and to develop scientific strategies for cancer prevention and control.

IARC classifies agents that humans may be exposed to based on the strength of evidence of their potential as human cancer hazards. The agents include chemicals, complex mixtures, processes, occupational or environmental exposures, cultural or behavioural practices, biological organisms, and physical substances.

IARC does not consider ‘risk’ or likelihood of harm to humans. It only considers the strength of the scientific evidence for a cancer association. Importantly, risk may not be present at everyday levels of exposure to the agent being assessed.

In the case of Non-Ionizing Radiation, IARC will conduct an evaluation of the evidence in May 2011 of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields which includes mobile telephones.

Download the AMTA Information Poster – IARC Classifications & Examples

 Download AMTA Briefing Pack here.

View AMTA Media Release here.