Cellphone Radiation May Cause Cancer - After reviewing hundreds of scientific articles, an international panel of experts has declared cellphones a potential cancer risk. The 31 scientists put cellphones on the list of substances that The World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies as "possibly carcinogenic to humans." Cellphones join the likes of DDT and gasoline engine exhaust on the list.
The organization has two higher classifications for risky substances -- "carcinogen" and "probably carcinogenic." and John Walls, the vice president of public affairs for the wireless association CTIA, points out that the IARC has given the same "possibly carcinogenic to humans" classification to pickled vegetables and coffee.
"This IARC classification does not mean cellphones cause cancer," he said. "Under IARC rules, limited evidence from statistical studies can be found even though bias and other data flaws may be the basis for the results."
Walls is obviously biased, but he's right that studies about how cellphones relate to brain cancer have shown mixed results. Last year, a large study found no evidence of increased risk of brain tumors associated with mobile phones. That study, which was partially industry funded and heavily criticized, acknowledged that the results weren't definitive. Another study, published in February, found that cellphones affect parts of the brain but couldn't determine whether the effects were beneficial or detrimental.
Siddhartha Mukherjee, an assistant professor of medicine at Columbia University, told NPR last month that despite years of research, there has never been a conclusive study linking cellphone use and brain cancer -- nor one that ruled it out.
The IARC isn't claiming otherwise with its new classification.
"It is important that additional research be conducted into the long‐term, heavy use of mobile phones," IARC Director Christopher Wild said in a statement. "Pending the availability of such information, it is important to take pragmatic measures to reduce exposure such as hands‐free devices or texting." ( mashable.com )
The organization has two higher classifications for risky substances -- "carcinogen" and "probably carcinogenic." and John Walls, the vice president of public affairs for the wireless association CTIA, points out that the IARC has given the same "possibly carcinogenic to humans" classification to pickled vegetables and coffee.
"This IARC classification does not mean cellphones cause cancer," he said. "Under IARC rules, limited evidence from statistical studies can be found even though bias and other data flaws may be the basis for the results."
Walls is obviously biased, but he's right that studies about how cellphones relate to brain cancer have shown mixed results. Last year, a large study found no evidence of increased risk of brain tumors associated with mobile phones. That study, which was partially industry funded and heavily criticized, acknowledged that the results weren't definitive. Another study, published in February, found that cellphones affect parts of the brain but couldn't determine whether the effects were beneficial or detrimental.
Siddhartha Mukherjee, an assistant professor of medicine at Columbia University, told NPR last month that despite years of research, there has never been a conclusive study linking cellphone use and brain cancer -- nor one that ruled it out.
The IARC isn't claiming otherwise with its new classification.
"It is important that additional research be conducted into the long‐term, heavy use of mobile phones," IARC Director Christopher Wild said in a statement. "Pending the availability of such information, it is important to take pragmatic measures to reduce exposure such as hands‐free devices or texting." ( mashable.com )
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