© Catherine Yeulet/istock
October 26, 2009. The results of the decade-long Interphone study on cell phone safety are that heavy cell phone use increases the risk of developing brain tumors later in life.
When a cell phone tower connects with a cell phone, electromagnetic radiation is created. When the cell phone is held against the ear, this radiation penetrates the brain.
According the Daily Telegraph in London, the World Health Organization (WHO) will soon publish the results of the Interphone study, which was conducted in 12 countries by the International Agency for Cancer Research (IARC).
Head researcher Dr. Elisabeth Cardis told the Telegraph, “In the absence of definitive results and in the light of a number of studies which, though limited, suggest a possible effect of radiofrequency radiation, precautions are important. I am therefore globally in agreement with the idea of restricting the use by children, though I would not go as far as banning mobile phones as they can be a very important tool, not only in emergencies, but also maintaining contact between children and their parents and thus playing a reassurance role. Means to reduce our exposure (use of hands-free kits and moderating our use of phones) are also interesting.”
In the United States, which did not participate in the Interphone study, there are 270 million cell phones in use. Senator Tom Harkin, now head of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, has promised to probe more deeply into the question of a link between cell phones and brain cancer.
There’s no argument that cell phones emit an electromagnetic field, a form of microwave radiation, that enters the brain when the cell phone is held against the ear, and there’s good research showing that the field does affect brain function. Although research has not shown that short term cell phone use causes cancer, a large population study from Sweden has shown that people who use cell phones for more than ten years on the same side of the head have a 40% higher risk of certain types of brain tumors. The Interphone study adds to this evidence.
Cell phone users can distance the brain from electromagnetic fields by using the speaker phone function, a headset, or by texting.
Comments
The WHO study has long been criticized for having flaws that will underestimate the actual cancer risk from cellphone radiation. For instance the study included people that only made one call pr. week. Despite that and further diluting factors, a significantly increased risk is reported by WHO.
See the recent paper titled: "Cellphones and Brain Tumors: 15 Reasons for Concern, Science, Spin and the Truth Behind INTERPHONE" for more. Find it at the radiationresearch dot org website.
I'm a physicist and I wrote a blog that compares cell phone radiation to the radiation leaked from microwave ovens. Please check it out:
www.peterdolph.com/2009/08/will-microwave-radiation-give-you_19.html
Yes, the WHO study is full of flaws, as was all the research done by non-Tobacco companies in the 50's with regards to smoking and cancer.
Now all the cell phone companies have to do is call this research fake, flawed and screwed up. My conclusion? I trust WHO way before I trust AT&T, Cingular, Verizon...etc
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