World Health Organization Warns Cell Phones 'Possibly Carcinogenic'

The World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified radio frequency electromagnetic fields emitted by cell phones as possibly carcinogenic to humans, based on an increased risk for glioma, a malignant type of brain cancer .

While more research is needed, IARC Director Christopher Wild said it is time to “take pragmatic measures to reduce exposure such as hands-free devices or texting."

With more than 5 billion cell phones estimated to be in use worldwide and more than 237,000 new cases of brain cancer annually, there has been a growing sense of urgency among public health officials about the possibility that wireless devices may be linked to brain tumors.

The new risk classification as a working group of 31 scientists from 14 countries today concluded a week-long session in Lyon, France, to assess the potential carcinogenic hazards from exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic fields. Their assessments will be published online in a few days.

"Could be some risk"

The group's chair, Dr. Jonathan Samet of the University of Southern California, said that "the evidence, while still accumulating, is strong enough to support a conclusion and the ... classification.”

“The conclusion means that there could be some risk, and therefore we need to keep a close watch for a link between cell phones and cancer risk," Samet said.

The IARC working group discussed the possibility that radio frequency exposures might induce long-term health effects, in particular an increased risk for cancer. This has relevance for public health, particularly for users of mobile phones, as the number of users is large and growing, particularly among young adults and children, an IARC press statement said.

The working group considered hundreds of scientific articles, including several that have been accepted for publication in peer-reviewed journals but have not yet been made public.

It's the latest in a series of statements by scientists and health researchers concerned by the massive increase in human exposure to radio frequency emissions. Just last week, a group of international researchers said there was “stunning proof” that pulsed digital signals from cell phones disrupt DNA, impair brain function and lower sperm count.