5/24/2010
Study reports that there was not conclusive evidence of an increased health risk due to cell phone use but was not able to say that cell phone usage is without any risk.
An eagerly awaited study reported that there was not conclusive evidence of an increased health risk due to cell phone use but was not able to say that cell phone usage is without any risk.
The findings by Interphone Study Group were published in the June 2010 International Journal of Epidemiology. Coordinated by the World Health Organization’s (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer beginning in 2000, the study was conducted in 13 countries and was the largest of its kind. The interview-based, case-control study included 2,708 glioma and 2,409 meningioma cases as well as matched controls. No elevated risk was found for glioma or meningioma in the 10 years after the first use of a cell phone. Although the findings did suggest that there was an increased risk of glioma in the 10 percent of study participants who used their cell phones the most, researchers were unable attribute the risk to cell phone usage because of possible bias and errors.
Since this study was not able to provide a definitive resolution regarding the questions surrounding cell phones and brain tumors, the National Brain Tumor Society (NBTS) advocates further research. This further research is even more important because of the increase in usage of cell phones, especially by children. The Interphone study did not include pediatric brain tumors and NBTS anxiously awaits all further study on the risk of cell phones, particularly on children.
Although the data is inconclusive, people who need to use cell phones frequently may want to consider the following tips.
- Use a cell phone that emits lower amounts of radiation.
- Headsets and speakers emit much less radiation than phones. A speaker also allows you to use the cell phone away from your head.
- Cell phones emit radiation when you talk or text, but not when you receive messages. Listening more and talking less reduces exposure.
- Hold the cell phone away from your body.
- Try to text instead of talking on the cell phone.
- A poor signal means that the cell phone is emitting more radiation so if the signal is not strong, consider not using the cell phone.
- Limit cell phone use for children.
- Radiation shields such as antenna caps or keypad covers reduce the connection quality and force the cell phone to transmit at a higher power with higher radiation.
