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Can Mobile Phones Cause Brain
Cancer?
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Cell Phone Towers Health Effects
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Cell Phone Sensitivity
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Your cell phone may be increasing your risk of brain cancer.
This warning has come from no less than the World Health
Organisation(WHO).
Hands- free devices or texting should be favoured to be on
the safe side, the WHO recommends. This is the first time
the world body has linked wireless phones with cancer but it
has not quantified the risk. There has been mounting concern
about the possibility of adverse health effects of cell
phone use. The statement, therefore, rings the alarm bells
since around five- billion people are estimated to be using
mobile phones globally and the number is growing.
An analysis and review carried out by WHO's cancer research
arm - International Agency for Research on Cancer ( IARC) -
has found limited evidence of glioma or brain cancer and
neuroma or tumour of nerve tissue among cell phone users.
However, one study of cell phone use up to the year 2004
showed a 40 per cent increased risk of glioma in the heavy
users - 30 minutes per day over a 10- year period.
Based on this, the WHO has listed the radiation associated
with cell phone - radiofrequency electromagnetic fields - as
" possibly carcinogenic to humans" . The analysis on
exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields was
carried out by a working group comprising 31 scientists from
14 countries during May 24- 31 at IARC in France. Studies
related to personal exposure associated with the use of
wireless telephones, occupational exposure to radar and
microwaves and environmental exposure associated with
transmission of signals for radio, television and wireless
communication were considered.
Dr Jonathan Samet from the University of Southern California
and chairman of the working group said the evidence, which
is still being accumulated, is strong enough to support a
conclusion that " there could be some risk and, therefore,
we need to keep a close watch for a link between cell phones
and cancer risk". " Given the potential consequences for
public health of this classification and findings, it's
important that additional research be conducted into the
long- term, heavy use of mobile phones. Pending the
availability of such information, it is important to take
pragmatic measures to reduce exposure to radiation, such as
hands- free devices or texting," IARC director Christopher
Wild said. The recommendations of the working group will be
published in the journal The Lancet Oncology in July.
In India, a study carried out by scientists at the School of
Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, on rats
had found biochemical changes in the animal's brain, which
indicated tumour promotion due to cell phone radiation. " We
also found a break in the DNA and micronuclei formation,"
Prof J. Behari, who led the study, said. " There was also a
decrease in sperm count and possibility of infertility in
animals." " Since cell phone radiation seems to affect the
central nervous system, other systems also get affected,"
Behari said.
Dr K. K. Handa from the All India Institute of Medical
Sciences ( AIIMS)' s department of ear, nose and throat
disorders said there is strong suspicion that cell phones
may be increasing the risk of cancer. The institute gets
scores of patients with hearing loss, ringing in ear, loss
of concentration and headache associated with cell phone
use.
Despite concerns on the risks associated with use of cell
phones, the Indian Council of Medical Research ( ICMR) is
yet to initiate a study. " We will be studying the effects
of radiofrequency radiations emitted from cell phones on
human health, especially with respect to neurological
aspects, the reproductive system and cancer," Dr R. S.
Sharma, deputy director- general of ICMR, said.
The study will be carried out at AIIMS. Risk to the
cardiovascular system and ear, nose and throat would also be
included in the study in the second phase. The risk is not
just associated with the use of cell phones. Cell phone
towers are also a major health hazard. A survey carried out
at 100 locations found unsafe radiation levels at most
places.
An inter- ministerial committee report earlier this year had
said mobile phone radiation from towers poses health risks
such as loss of memory and concentration. It also attributed
disappearance of butterflies, bees, insects and sparrows
from big cities to mobile phone radiations. It recommended
that mobile phones that do not adhere to standards should be
barred and mobile towers should not be installed near high-
density residential areas, schools, playgrounds and
hospitals.
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