Whilst it has been speculated for some years now, the World Health Organisation has just announced officially that cell phone use may be carcinogenic to humans (2B classification). These findings show "an increased risk of glioma, a malignant form of brain cancer, associated with wireless phone use".
The International Agency for Research on Cancer panel consisted of 31 of the leading experts in the field, spanning 14 countries. These scientists examined the exposure data, the studies of human cancer, studies in experimental animal models and other relevant data to come to this conclusion. The Chairman of the working group, Dr. Jonathan Samet (University of Southern California, USA), concluded that "the evidence, while still accumulating, is strong enough to support a conclusion and the 2B classification. 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."
IARC Director, Christopher Wild, states, "It is important that additional research be conducted....it is important to take pragmatic measures to reduce exposure such as hands-free devices or texting."
One study showed that there was a 40% increased risk for gliomas in the highest category of heavy users: and they classify heavy users are 30 minutes per day over a 10-year period. For some of us using our phones for work, this doesn't actually seem like a lot of talktime.
So dust off those ear pieces or start figuring out how to fix that hands-free gadget in your car.
More information can be found on the IARC website.
No comments:
Post a Comment