New evidence of cancer link to mobile use
The director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Ronald Herberman, sent a memo to 3000 staff warning of possible higher risks from mobile phone use. The warning, though, is based on early findings from unpublished data, and according to Dr. Herberman, “we shouldn’t wait for a definitive study to come out, but err on the side of being safe rather than sorry later”. Further, he says that children should be especially protected as their brains are still developing. Moreover, we have to remember that UK Mobile Telecommunications and Health Research Programme said there was some hint of a higher cancer risk in the long term, as a result of mobile phone usage, and that its research would look into the effects over a 10-year period. Also, a UK report said in 2005 that mobile phone use by children should be limited as a precaution and that under 8 should not use them at all.
This new evidence has raised, albeit relative recent research has just suggested the contrary. Concretely, a major six-year research study in the UK said last year that there were no short-term adverse effects to brain and cell function from mobile phone use. Research reported in 2006 by the British arm of an international project called Interphone concluded that mobile phone use did not lead to a greater risk of brain tumor. Additionally, an analysis by the University of Utah this year of thousands of brain tumor patients found no increased risk as a result of mobile use. However, most of these studies also point out that the effects from long-term use awaits confirmation by future studies.
Mobile phones emit radiofrequency energy, a type of radiation that is a form of electromagnetic radiation, according to the National Cancer Institute. Though studies are being done to see if there is a link between it and tumors of the brain and central nervous system, there is no definitive link between the two, the institute says on its website.
For the time being, we can restrict our phone usage to the minimum necessary, and switch sides regularly while talking on mobiles.
Now, what will the industry do? It’s obvious that the market will not wait for a long-term study. So they probably will just ignore Dr. Herberman’s warnings.
8 comments
Well, they have some time on this now… I think these devices are really harmful
I think all this has to be put in context. Mobile phones should not be abused, that’s all.
Just a media buzz…
As Freyman said “Mobile phones should not be abused”, but also using a head set or the phone speaker in order to keep the cell phone piece far from the head!!!
@Ricky: I agree, totally. A head set is a very reasonable option.
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This is why my husband gets irritated when I let our daughter play with my cell phone.
This is dangerous as the use of mobiles is rampant these days.We aught to take a middle path and stop excessive usage of the medium if that risks cancer.
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