We have previously blogged about the possible increased cancer risk from cellphone use.
The media was abuzz today with a new announcement from the World Health Organization (WHO) that radiation from cell phones may increase the risk of cancer (“possibly carcinogenic” was the phrase used). Specifically, the WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), stated that the low-frequency electromagnetic radition emitted by cellphones has been classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans on the basis of an increased risk for glioma (a form of brain cancer) that some studies have associated with the use of wireless phones.
The WHO announcement was based on an extensive review of studies on cell phone safety by a working group of 31 scientists from 14 countries.
While some industry-funded studies have found no link between brain tumors and cell phone use, an independent Swedish study cited showed that the risk of brain tumors increased with the number of cumulative hours of cell phone use, higher radiated power, and length of cell phone use.
