New French Study: Excessive Mobile Phone Use Poses Significant Risk for Brain Tumors

What is troubling about this new study from France is that it suggests “excessive phone” use (15 hours a month – which works out to only 30 minutes a day) is a significant risk factor for brain tumors. The study was undertaken among adult users in France. What about children? How many of us have seen a child or adolescent holding a 30-minute cell phone conversation during just one call? Children, whose bodies are still developing, are more vulnerable to cell phone radiation.

Will this study be reported in the U.S. media? It has appeared in the mainstream on-line sites of the French media, including Le Nouvel Observateur, and in the Swiss media: Tribune de Genève, Le Matin... This article is from a business site in Australia.

Excessive mobile use poses significant cancer risk
by James Harkness, workplaceinfo.com, 13 May 2014

A new study suggests excessive mobile phone use in an occupational setting is a significant risk factor for brain tumours.

The objective of the study, undertaken by a team of French researchers, was to investigate whether radiofrequency electromagnetic fields emitted by mobile phones are, due to their direct contact with the head during communications, a risk factor for brain tumours (gliomas and meningiomas) in a population of French adults.

Although the carcinogenic effect of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields in humans remains controversial, the researchers noted some studies have suggested they could be involved in the aetiology of some types of brain tumours.

A statistically significant increase in brain tumours was not observed in regular mobile phone users when compared with non-users.

However, an increased risk of brain tumours, especially gliomas, was observed among heaviest users when considering lifetime cumulative duration of calls (more than 896 hours). This statistically significant association was more pronounced for occupational users who accounted for nearly two-thirds (62%) of heavy users.

“While this is consistent with some other studies, it is difficult to define a level of risk, if any, especially as mobile phone technology is constantly evolving,” the researchers said.

“The rapid evolution of technology has led to a considerable increase in the use of mobile phones and a parallel decrease of [radiofrequency electromagnetic fields] emitted by the phones. Studies taking account of these recent developments, and allowing the observation of potential long-term effects will be needed."

Source: Coureau, G & Ors: Mobile phone use and brain tumours in the CERENAT case-control study (Occupational and Environmental Medicine Journal, May 9, 2014)

About the author:
James Harkness is a staff writer for WorkplaceOHS and WorkplaceInfo, whose role includes producing case write-ups, news stories, and analysis pieces. He has also produced copy and performed editorial tasks for a handful of business chambers operating in Inner City Sydney. more from James

http://www.workplaceinfo.com.au/ohs/safety-in-the-workplace/excessive-mobile-use-poses-significant-cancer-risk