THE RADIATION given off by mobile phones has been classified as “possibly carcinogenic” to humans by a World Health Organisation research agency. More research was needed to determine the risk but mobile users should take “pragmatic measures” to reduce mobile phone exposures, the agency said.
The WHO’s international agency for research on cancer yesterday released a statement following a week-long review by 31 scientists from 14 countries. They met in Lyons to assess the risk of cancer posed by exposure to the electromagnetic fields given off by mobile phones.
The fields arise as the mobile relays information back and forth with nearby antennas. A consensus had emerged over some years that mobile phone use did not pose any significant risk of brain cancers, but the agency’s new analysis has overturned this.
The working group of scientists examined the latest research findings as well as reviewing past studies. They now classify exposure to mobile phone fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans, but with limited evidence to confirm this.
More research was needed into the long-term heavy use of mobile phones, according to the agency’s director, Christopher Wild.
“Pending the availability of such information, it is important to take pragmatic measures to reduce exposure such as hands-free devices or texting,” he said yesterday.
There had been “mounting concern” about the possibility of dangerous health effects, the agency indicated. It represented a public health issue given there were an estimated five billion mobile users internationally.
The working group decision was based on the detection of an increased risk of glioma, a malignant type of brain cancer.
“The conclusion means that there could be some risk, and therefore we need to keep a close watch for a link between cell phones and cancer risk,” said Dr Jonathan Samet, of the University of Southern California, the chairman of the scientific working group.
Last March the UK repeated earlier recommendations that mobile phone use by children aged 16 and younger should be limited to “essential purposes only”.
The European Environment Agency has also recommended mobile use by children should be restricted.