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FDA Will Review Cell Phone-Cancer Link

Agency Pooh-Poohs Swedish Analysis Showing Increased Risk

April 9, 2006

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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says it will review the health effects of wireless phones after a recent analysis of research suggested long-term use may be linked to a risk of brain cancer. The agency said it will hold a meeting to evaluate data on health risks associated with cordless and cell phones but didn't specify a date.

The FDA said a recently published analysis of two Swedish studies reported an increased risk of brain tumors linked to use of wireless phones over more than 10 years. The findings were inconsistent with earlier studies and difficult to interpret, the FDA said.

The Swedish study found that those who heavily used wireless phones had a 240 percent increased risk of a cancerous tumor on the side of the head where they used their phone. Researchers at the Swedish National Institute for Working Life compared data from 2,200 cancer patients and an equal number of healthy patients.

"This is not a new study but is a combined analysis of two studies published in 2005 and 2003. Both the 2005 and 2003 studies were population based case control studies. Cases were recruited based on ... diagnoses submitted to regional cancer registries," the FDA said. Exposure assessment was conducted using mailed questionnaires with a few follow-up telephone interviews.

The FDA statement seems to indicate that it will, at last, address decade-long concerns that radio-frequency energy from wireless phones may have harmful effects on health, including brain tumors.

Last year, the wireless-device industry generated $113.5 billion of revenue as usage time exceeded 1.4 trillion minutes as the number of cell-phone users in the U.S. surged to 208 million last year from 340,213 in 1985, when wireless networks were first being built, according to CTIA - The Wireless Association, which insists there is no health risk from cell phones.

"When you objectively look at the enormous body of science that exists, you have to conclude that there is no evidence of adverse health effects," said Joe Farren, spokesman for CTIA, a wireless industry trade association.

Wireless phones emit low levels of radio-frequency energy while in use and in stand-by mode. Radio-frequency energy can heat and damage body tissues. Despite industry assertions, there is uncertainty about the effects of frequency, intensity, proximity and duration of exposure.

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