Study finds no relation between cellphones and cancer
updated 08:45 pm EDT, Wed July 27, 2011
Latest study continues disagreement over effects
A new study exploring the effects of cellular radiation has found no relationship between cellphone use and cancer in children and adolescents. The European study, which was published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, aimed to focus on the potential risks for young users, amid concerns that children are more sensitive to radiation than adults.
The lead author of the study, epidemiologist Martin Roosli, suggests the fresh research indicates that " a large and immediate risk of cellphones causing brain tumors in children can be excluded." The research took a close look at 1,000 participants, comparing the cellphone usage of healthy individuals to the usage from a group diagnosed with brain tumors.
Fears surrounding children's' exposure to cellphone radiation have been based on several considerations, including the effects on a developing nervous system rather than mature organs. Separate studies have reportedly determined that the outer brain children of some children is susceptible to twice the radiation absorption compared to adults, according to details in a Wall Street Journal report.
Although the researchers did not find a link between cellphone radiation and cancer, the study is unlikely to diffuse the ongoing debate surrounding cellphone use and adverse health effects. Separate studies have found an increase in brain activity near cellphone antennas, however the researchers did not jump to further conclusions regarding cancer or other problems.
The World Health Organization earlier this year warned of the potential for phone use to increase cancer risk. The study was careful to reclassify the type of radiation emitted by cellphones as possibly carcinogenic, however, rather than showing a definite link. Other reports have cast doubt on the WHO findings.
