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Its the question that wont go away. Does heavy cell phone use increase the
risk of cancer? A new study, appearing in the American Journal of Epidemiology,
suggests that it does.
The latest study found focused on cancer of the salivary gland, looking at 500
Israeli citizens who had developed the disease and 1,300 healthy subjects.
Researchers concluded that those who had held a mobile handset against one side
of their head for several hours a day were 50 percent more likely to have a
tumor in the salivary gland.
Since cell phones were introduced in the 1980s, there has been speculation of a
heightened risk of cancer, caused by holding an electronic device against the
head. There have been a number of studies, but no conclusive evidence one way or
the other.
This latest study is different because it has focused on longterm users. Also,
researchers say, previous studies have looked for tumor formation exclusively in
the brain, not other parts of the body.
Salivary gland
Cancer of the salivary gland, they point out, is very rare, and its location so
close to where a handset is held makes the tumorcell phone connection all the
more intriguing.
The mobile communications industry has repeatedly questioned studies suggesting
a cancer link. It argues cell phones have been shown to be safe, and should be
considered so until they are conclusively shown to be unsafe.
Skeptics worry that radiofrequency radiation emitted from the devices might be
harmful to human tissue, and might contribute to the formation of tumors. Dr.
Siegal Sadetzki, who headed up the research team, notes that cancer risks
appeared to be higher among rural cell phone users, because their mobile phones
put off increased radiation to compensate for weaker signals.
But Sadetzki concedes her study is inconclusive and should be followed up with
ongoing research. Even so, she says precautions should be taken in order to
reduce risk, especially for children and young adults who use mobile phones.
WiFi too
Add to that worries about wireless computer networks. Last year, the British
scientist who raised one of the early warnings about potential health hazards
from cell phones has a new worry wireless Internet, or WiFi.
Sir William Stewart, chairman of Britains Health Protection Agency, is lobbying
British authorities for an investigation into WiFis possible health risks,
according to Britains The Independent.
Stewart is concerned because wireless Internet may become more prevalent than
mobile telephones.
A few individuals are known to suffer from a heightened sensitivity to
electromagnetic radiation, but in recent years more and more physicians have
expressed concern that repeated and prolonged exposure might be harmful to the
wider population.
A study conducted in Finland found that people who have used cell phones for ten
years or more are 40 per cent more likely to get a brain tumor on the same side
of the head as they hold their handset. Research done in Sweden puts the risk at
almost four times greater.
Stewart is reportedly concerned because of the similarity of the radiation
emitted by cell phones and WiFi systems. But whereas cell phone radiation
exposes only the person using the handset, WiFi radiation could affect everyone
in the general vicinity.
Much of the concern is directed at children, who are seen as more vulnerable
than adults to the effects of radiation, and because they will likely be exposed
to increasing levels of radiation throughout their lives.
The Austrian Medical Association is pressing the government to ban the
deployment of WiFi in schools.
Concerns about WiFi health effects have also been raised in the U.S.
In 2003, parents sued an Illinois school that installed a WiFi system, claiming
the radiation was causing headaches and memory problems. Last year, Lakehead
University in Thunder Bay, Ontario refused to install a campus WiFi system,
citing possible health concerns.
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Source: http://www.send2press.com/newswire/2008020214003.shtml
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