Cell Phones and Brain Tumors: 2010 Update 

Health risks associated with cell phones and other radiofrequency electromagnetic fields are not as debated as was the case a few years ago.  Each year the adverse effects associated with cell phone use becomes clearer.  There are over 4.6 billion cell phones in use today and that number is rapidly growing. Much of the increase finds cell phones in the hands of the children and adolescents who, because their nervous systems are not fully developed, are most vulnerable to brain tumors.

Recent research has shed more light on the relationship between cell phone use and the development of brain neoplasms.  Although there is still some debate related to the level of exposure, that debate has been limited to other issues.  This last year a number of studies were published that presented similar findings to what the following paper concluded, “The very linear relationship between cell phone usage and brain tumor incidence is disturbing and certainly needs further epidemiological evaluation.  In the meantime, it would be prudent to limit exposure to all sources of electro-magnetic radiation.”  Another similar study stated that “Individuals who begin exposure at younger ages are more vulnerable. These data indicate that the existing standards for radiofrequency exposure are not adequate. While there are many unanswered questions, the cost of doing nothing will result in an increasing number of people, many of them young, developing cancer.”

A review and critique of two important recent studies (Hardell and Interphone) suggests that, due to some bias in the research designs, the risk of brain tumors is actually greater than has been previously reported.  “For the time being, evidence collected in epidemiological studies points rather to an underestimation of risk from mobile phone use and less bias in the Hardell studies as compared to those of the Interphone group that are affected by selection and possibly also by misclassification bias.”  One problem with earlier epidemiological studies is the lack of data.  With time and the capturing of better data we will know more as there is still no definitive long term use data available. 

With the dramatic increase in the use of cell phones it is speculated that we will likely see a marked rise in brain tumors over the next decade.   (Click link see all articles)