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Cell Phone could Cause Cancer, says WHO

  •   Wed, Jun 01 2011 12:27:03 PM

New York, Jun 1 (PTI): Heavy use of mobile phones and other wireless communication devices could possibly cause cancer, the World Health Organisation has said and asked people to use texting and free-hands devices to reduce the risk.

The electromagnetic fields generated by such devices are "possibly carcinogenic to humans," the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) announced at the end of an eight-day meeting yesterday in Lyon, France.

A group of 31 experts from 14 countries has "reached this classification based on its review of the human evidence coming from epidemiological studies", ABC News reported.

The experts also pointed to an increased incidence of glioma, a malignant type of brain cancer, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) said in a statement.

The number of mobile phone subscriptions is estimated at 5 billion globally.

"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 Jonathan Samet from the University of Southern California, the chairman of the group of scientists.

The IARC, which is part of the WHO, cautioned that current scientific evidence showed only a possible link, not a proven one, between wireless devices and cancers.

"It is important that additional research be conducted into the long-term, heavy use of mobile phones," Christopher Wild, director of the IARC said.

"Pending the availability of such information, it is important to take pragmatic measures to reduce exposure such as hands-free devices or texting."
  

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Comment on this article

  • A. S. Mathew, U.S.A.

    Wed, Jun 01 2011

    The International Agency for Research on Cancer is located in
    in Lyon, France which is an arm
    of the World Health Organization.

    Classifying agents as "possibly
    carcinogenic" doesn't mean they
    automatically cause cancer and some
    experts said that the ruling
    shouldn't change people's cellphone
    habits.

    Dr. Donald Berry, professor of
    biostatistics at the M.D. Anderson
    Cencer Center at the University of
    Texas who is not involved in the
    WHO cancer group assessment said
    "Anything is a possible carcinogen".

    The same cancer research agency lists alcoholic drinks and even
    night shifts work as a probable
    carcinogen.

    " We found some threads of evidence telling us how cancer
    might occur, but there were acknowledged gaps and uncertainties" said Dr. Jonathan
    Samet of the University of California, the panel's chairman.

    "The WHO's verdict means there is
    some evidence linking mobile phones
    to cancer but it is too weak to
    draw a strong conclusion from"
    said Ed Young, head of health
    information at Cancer Research U.K.
    " If such a link exists, it is unlikely to be a large one".

    Large study on cell phone and
    cancer found no clear link between
    them, but found hint of possible
    connection between very heavy use
    of cell phone and "glioma', a rare
    but often deadly form of brain
    cancer.

    Now, let the phone users may
    make their own conclusion in the
    excessive use of the cell phones.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • jacobnelson, mumbai

    Wed, Jun 01 2011

    Cell phone is Danger,
    Microwave oven Danger,
    Exerox macine Danger,
    Exray also Danger,
    But without these things very less chances or I can say alternatives are there,
    Best those Good old Days:-
    Firewood oven cooked food,
    KANGI papad,Ponsache ghore ani apohol,
    Now new generation,
    New Invention,
    New communication technology,
    no work for post-man only emails,
    No tele-graph direct tele-fax,
    SMS to all etc,
    no SUR only beer,
    No KAJUCHO only scotch,
    We are missing all those good old days of PATHOLI,PATHRADE,RAN-DUKRA MAS.....

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • A.S.Mathew, U.S.A.

    Wed, Jun 01 2011

    Cell phones are great invention
    and it created a "communication
    revolution" in the entire world.

    If we watch the young generation
    in the American roads, majority of
    them are driving with one hand and
    talking with somebody. When I
    call India to a cell phone, the
    lines are busy, because they are
    talking with somebody. The
    cell phone revolution has created
    a new culture of excessive talk
    with certain people but less talk
    with some other people.
    Many accidents have taken place
    due to the one hand and careless
    driving while talking.

    The "cancer scare" may put a break
    to the culture of holding a phone
    to the ear throughout the day.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • HENRY MISQUITH, Bahrain

    Wed, Jun 01 2011

    Very sad to say that mobile phones and ciggaretes will continue to be in use even after many warnings. Use of unbranded chinese phones should also be restricted because they have higher SAR. Use bluetooth or wired headphones to minimise exposure.
    Henry Misquith/Bahrain

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • geoffrey, hathill

    Wed, Jun 01 2011

    Use of cellphone is optional. What about the fate of people living in localities that are thronged with cellpohne towers? There's no law in our country to protect the innocent from this high risk menace.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse


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