Mobiles phones "possibly carcinogenic"

Mobile phone use could possibly be a cause of cancer according to the World Health Organization (WHO). This is a change from its previous position, which stated that mobile phones were safe to use.

The radiation from mobile phones is now classified as a "carcinogenic hazard" and is now in the same category as pollutants such as lead, the pesticide DDT and engine exhausts.

However, there is still not enough hard evidence to show a causal link between phone use and brain cancer in humans.

The new policy, which comes from the WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), changes the classification based on a possible link with two forms of brain cancer, glioma and acoustic neuroma.

A team of experts which included 31 scientists from 14 countries analysed all existing studies on mobile phone use.

They concluded that the link between mobile phone use and brain cancer was "limited," and the evidence "inadequate" for all other types of cancer.

No figure was given for the potential increase in cancer risk that may be caused by mobile phone use.

"Limited" means there is some evidence of an association between exposure to mobile phones and glioma and acoustic neuroma, but that it cannot rule out that this is the result of chance or other factors.

The studies reviewed by the IARC only found evidence in the cases of extreme mobile phone use (for instance see here ).

Mobile phone use will now be classified as "possibly carcinogenic" by the WHO, one of the five classifications used: carcinogenic, probably carcinogenic, possibly carcinogenic, not classifiable or not carcinogenic.

Christopher Wild, director of the IARC, said: "Given the potential consequences for public health of this classification and findings it is important that additional research be conducted into the long term, heavy use of mobile phones.

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

But other experts remain sceptical. For instance, Cancer Research UK points out that brain cancer rates have hardly changed in the last 10 years, despite the explosive growth in mobile phone use worldwide.

But they echo Wild's advice, and urge parents to ensure that children are discouraged from making non-essential calls.

This article was published on Wed 1 June 2011