WHO : Cell Phones May Cause Brain Cancer

Cell phones on display

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that cell phones may cause brain cancer.

Citing a review of studies, WHO according to  Bloomberg report,  emphasised that radiofrequency electromagnetic fields from mobile phones may cause cancer in humans.

The working group of 31 scientists from 14 countries based its recommendations on a survey of previously published studies. The agency has evaluated the cancer risks of tobacco, alcohol, salt-preserved fish and some types of drugs, among other substances, at recent meetings. 

The senior scientist in charge of the International Agency for Research on Cancer’s report on the subject, Dr. Robert Baan, said exposure from handsets was greater than that from mobile- phone towers and base stations.

According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), radiofrequency electromagnetic fields are “possibly” cancer- causing. The  IARC, based in Lyon, France, which evaluates cancer risks and makes recommendations to government authorities, stressed that evidence available to it showed the likelihood of increased risk due to cell phone use.

Head of the IARC Monographs Program,  Kurt Straif,  said that “there is some evidence for an increased risk of glioma,” or  brain cancer. He however added that “it’s not at the moment clearly established that the use of mobile phones does in fact cause cancer.”

IARC spokesman,  Nicolas Gaudin said this was the first time an agency working group has surveyed previous research on radiofrequency electromagnetic fields to make a definitive recommendation.

The WHO agency stressed that concerns have existed since the late 1990s that cell phones might be harmful to consumers’ health, while the U.S. Federal Communication Commission has said devices with a specific absorption rate, the amount of radio frequency energy absorbed by the body, within a set limit are safe.

Several reports on the safety or otherwise of cell phone use had been released in the past. In 2009, a group of international scientists released a report that raised concerns about cell phone usage and brain tumours. The report then noted that one recent Swedish study saw a 400 percent increased risk for teenage cell phone users.

The 37-page report, from a group calling itself the International EMF (Electromagnetic Field) Collaborative, summarised what it said were the dangers of cell phone use, especially for children, and attempted to blunt an upcoming study being developed by the wireless industry in 13 countries, mainly in Western Europe. 

But Vice President of public affairs for the CTIA, a group representing wireless carriers and handset makers in the U.S.  John Walls also in 2009  issued a statement saying that "peer-reviewed scientific evidence has overwhelmingly indicated that wireless devices do not pose a public health risk."

He noted that the American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute, the World Health Organization and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have all concurred that wireless devices are not a public health risk.

Experts however said that to be on the safe side, cell phone users should minimize exposure to the cell phones. They alleged that the higher cancer risk comes from holding a cell phone close to the head over longer periods of time. To reduce exposure to cell phone radiation, adults and children are urged to use a wired headset on a call and not a wireless headset. Messages should be sent by texting and cell phones should be kept away from the body.