Evaluation of Mobile Phone and Cordless Phone Use and Glioma Risk Using the Bradford Hill Viewpoints from 1965 on Association or Causation
Abstract
Overview
The study employs Bradford Hill's criteria from 1965, focusing on the association between glioma risk and the use of mobile and cordless phones.
Methods
- Evaluation of nine Bradford Hill viewpoints through epidemiology and laboratory studies.
Findings
- Strength: Meta-analysis of case-control studies showed an odds ratio (OR) of 1.90, with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.31-2.76 for highest cumulative exposure.
- Consistency: Increased risk with latency; in the 10+ years' latency group, OR was 1.62, CI 1.20-2.19.
- Specificity: Increased glioma risk was noted particularly in the temporal lobe.
- Temporality: Highest risk observed in the 20+ years' latency group, OR 2.01, CI 1.41-2.88 for wireless phones.
- Biological Gradient: Cumulative use of wireless phones escalated the risk.
- Plausibility: Animal studies indicated higher glioma and malignant schwannoma incidence in rats from radiofrequency radiation, and increased production of reactive oxygen species.
- Coherence: Alters the natural history of glioma with an increasing incidence observed.
- Experiment: Antioxidants were shown to reduce reactive oxygen species production from RF radiation.
- Analogy: Similar increased risk observed in subjects exposed to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields.
Conclusion
Radiofrequency radiation is recommended to be viewed as a human carcinogen that leads to glioma.