Experts at Orlando's Wireless show reject link to cancer, brain tumors

BY SCOTT BLAKE
FLORIDA TODAY

ORLANDO - This week's Wireless 2007 tradeshow at the Orange County Convention Center highlights the explosion in the use of wireless communication devices, such as cellular phones.

However, a question in the background of the wireless industry for years still lingers: Do cell phones cause cancer or other health problems?

Industry representatives at this week's show, which ends today, called the issue "an old story" and one that has been largely settled.

"There has been study after study that's shown no health effects," said Keith Nowak, spokesman for cell phone maker Nokia. "We, as an industry, continue to fund research, but nothing has been found."

A number of studies have found no link to cell phone use and cancer, but many concluded the issue needs to be studied more before firm conclusions can be drawn.

A Swedish study published last year in the World Journal of Surgical Oncology linked wireless phone use to an increased risk for brain tumors.

Wireless phones use electromagnetic waves -- commonly called radio waves -- in the microwave range and produce small amounts of radiation. Industry representatives in Orlando this week said there is nothing on the technological horizon to change that.

The United States government, meanwhile, has taken a less conclusive stance on the health risks posed by wireless products.

"Some people have questions about the possible health effects of low levels of radio frequency energy," according to a federal Food & Drug Administration statement. "It is generally agreed that further research is needed to determine what effects actually occur and whether they are dangerous to people."

The FDA has an agreement with the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association -- the trade industry group that organized this week's convention in Orlando -- to do research on wireless phone safety.

Under the agreement, the
FDA said it provides "scientific oversight" of research funded by the association. The research will include both laboratory studies and studies of wireless phone users.

The agreement also will involve a "broad assessment of additional research needs in the context of the latest research developments around the world," the FDA said.

The World Health Organization also has addressed the issue.

The organization said several studies of animals exposed to radio frequency fields similar to those emitted by mobile phones found no evidence that it causes or promotes brain cancer. However, the organization noted that a 1997 study that found that radio frequency fields increased the risk of genetically engineered mice developing lymphoma.

In 2000, the organization recommended the "precautionary principle" be used for cell phones.

The principle is "a risk management policy applied in circumstances with a high degree of scientific uncertainty, reflecting the need to take action for a potentially serious risk without awaiting the results of scientific research," according to the organization.

As a precautionary measure, the organization recommended people decrease their and their children's exposure to radio waves by limiting the length of calls on wireless phones, using "hands-free" wireless devices, and holding mobile phones away from the head and body.

Today, cell phones are for more than just talking.

On display at this week's convention were wireless phones that allow users to connect to the Internet, check their bank accounts, send and receive e-mail, play movies, music and video games, watch television, and find their way around with built-in global positioning systems.

With cell phones now being used for more "multimedia" purposes, the industry has been seeking more signal capacity and transmission towers to handle the growing market, said Tom Parks, manager of global procurement and contracts for Bechtel Communications, one of about 1,000 exhibitors at this week's tradeshow.

"Quality of service is one of the big issues" in the industry, Parks said.