NEWS
Khurana also calls for government and industry to take immediate action to reduce consumers' exposure to mobile-related electromagnetic radiation and to ensure they are aware of the potential dangers.
Writing in the report, he says: "The author fears that unless the industry and governments take immediate and decisive steps to openly acknowledge and intervene in this situation, even while waiting definitive confirmation by large and well-constructed multi-centre studies worldwide, malignant brain tumour incidence and its associated death rate will be observed globally to rise within a decade from now, by which time it may be far too late to meaningfully intervene, especially for those who are currently children and young adults."
Khurana recommends adult members of the public should seek to minimise their use of mobile phones, using a landline instead wherever possible and/or favouring the speakerphone function on a mobile so the phone is held more than 20cm away from the head. Mobile users should also minimise use of Bluetooth devices and unshielded headphone accessories, he added.
A 2006 World Health Organization (WHO) report on mobile phone use and health backs up Khurana's view of the difficulties of establishing a link between mobiles and cancer without studying long-term exposure - and also advises a cautionary approach to the technology.
The WHO report states: "For the majority of tumours studied so far, a long latency period might exist, and the finding of any link to the use of mobile phones is complex. Consequently, most of the published research cannot elucidate the risk of long-term effects… Since there are still gaps in knowledge, continued research and better health risk analyses are needed. Moreover, without scientifically recognised adverse effects on health, it is not possible to produce evidence-based recommendations."
Back in 2004, a study by a Swedish research institute also suggested that 10 or more years of mobile phone use may increase the risk of acoustic neuroma in humans.
Khurana's report reviewing the evidence for and against mobile phone use and increased cancer risk can be read here in full.
Comments
There are 10 comments. Join the discussion
1. anonymous
"...risk may be as great as a two- to four-fold increase of developing a tumour on the same side of the head..."
This phrase is a bit of a giveaway; it makes me think that this is the same study as another that used very similar language a while ago. The key difference is that this seems to be FUDing whereas the other concluded that more study needs to be done to find the cause of the correlation, eg it might be to do with 'handed-ness'.
2. pete fitzmaurice
I used a landline phone for many hours a day and for twenty years. Usually using my left ear. I have suffered with tinitus in this same ear for a few years. I have recently started to get sharp twinges under this same ear. For a long time now, maybe three or four years i have only used my right ear when listening to phone conversations. Having thought about this problem for a long time, i am sure this is caused by the pressure from sound waves in close proximity to the ear drum and delicate nerves.
3. anonymous
immediately move all the cigarette taxes to mobile phone sales and usage fees
4. anonymous
It is good bet that these high frequency emissisions will have an effect on human health and the health of many animals on the planet.
Mankind and the animal kingdom have evolved over many millenia and can cope with natural radiation....how can they be expected to survive this ongoing and growing blitz of non natural radiation ?
Of course all the "big players" will deny any liability and will use the catch all phrase that there is insufficient
scientific evidence to prove a danger exists.
Sl
5. John H Woods
My boss exposed me to 2000 per cent of my usual air-incident risk, by asking me to complete a short time assignment with weekly air travel. I could increase my chance of winning the Lotto six-fold by spending another £5 a week. Do either of these things really make a difference? Of course not, because the chances are so low to begin with.
It is worth noting that, if there is an effect, we should minimise the radiation that people receive by having more masts around, therefore allowing the phones to transmit at lower power. I notice he hasn't suggested that.
6. Dr Mike Fryer
An interesting literature review but disappointing in that it lacks real data. It uses phrases such such as 'possible' 'could not be ruled out', 'suggesting' to persuade the reader of an effect but without real substance. The stated hypothesis of the work is 'that malignant brain tumours can be caused by "excessive" and prolonged mobile phone use.' However, nowhere is there any quantification or definition of what 'heavy' means. Therefore, although highlighting a possible problem and encouraging further research (a very good idea), this paper does nothing to facilitate a proper risk assessment. How many hours use of a mobile phone per week or day does the author regard as 'safe' and how many as 'dangerous'? He does not know?
7. Tim Jackson
Maths? Doubling the incidence of brain tumours (about 0.5%) does not bring it up to the incidence of lung cancers associated with smoking and asbestos (about 5%).
It may be true that if the trend suggested is proportionate to lifetime exposure, then if nothing is done, ever, then such a figure may ultimately be reached, but that is a highly unlikely scenario.
In practice this is an alarmist statement.
8. anonymous
Well guess what - electromagnetic radiation is found with:
CRT and other monitors
Hybrid fueled cars..
Guess you pays your money and takes your choice...
9. Jay
too many people are oblivious to this, the phone companys are too greedy to switch off as are some users
10. mobilnye
Thank you very much!
Very useful article