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Study Links Brain Tumors, Old Cell
Phones
Baltimore Sun
September 11, 2002
In what could bolster an $800 million
lawsuit against Motorola and major cell phone carriers, a new study found a
possible link between older cell phones and brain tumors.
Although many studies have found no cancer risk from cell phone use, the
research published in the latest European Journal of Cancer Prevention said
long-term users of analog phones are at least 30 percent more likely than
nonusers to develop brain tumors.
Newer digital phones emit less radiation than older analog models of the sort
studied.
The lawsuit against cell phone manufacturer Motorola was brought by Christopher
Newman, a Maryland doctor stricken with brain cancer. A federal judge is
expected to decide by month's end whether case should go to trial and if so,
whether the study can be used as evidence.
"From our perspective, and from a public health perspective, the court
should just be aware of what's out there," said Newman's attorney, John
Angelos, whose firm has made millions suing asbestos and tobacco companies.
If the case is allowed to go forward, it could open the door to other major
lawsuits against the wireless communication industry. So far, no similar claims
have been successful.
Motorola attorneys criticized the methodology of the new report, which was
written by Swedish oncologist Dr. Lennart Hardell.
Hardell studied 1,617 patients with brain tumors and compared them with a
similar-sized group of people without tumors. He found that patients who used
Sweden's Nordic Mobile telephones were 30 percent more likely to have brain
tumors, especially on the side of the head that touched the phone most often.
Those who used the phones longer than 10 years were 80 percent more likely to
develop tumors.
Newman's lawsuit names Motorola, Verizon and other wireless carriers. He claims
the analog cell phones he used from 1992 to 1998 caused him to develop a
cancerous brain tumor behind his right ear. The tumor was removed, but Newman is
blind in one eye, suffers memory loss and slowed speech and can no longer work,
his lawyers say.
Cell phones are used by 97 million Americans.
Digital phones emit radiation in pulses; older analog varieties emit continuous
waves. By the time cell phones exploded in popularity in the late 1990s, most of
those sold used digital technology.
Three major studies published since December 2000, including one by the U.S.
National Cancer Institute, found no harmful health effects from cell phones.
Motorola attorney Norman Sandler questioned the author's theory that tumors are
more apt to develop near the ear that touches the receiver most often.
"His testimony raises significant questions about recall bias," he
said. "Do people who used the phones 10 years ago really remember what side
of the head they used?"
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