A Swedish studysuggests that people who use cell phones for at least ten years might be atgreater risk for developing a rare, non-cancerous tumor. These tumors grow onthe nerve that leads from the inner ear to the brain. The risk was higher onthe side of the head where the phone was usually held.
These tumors affect fewer than one hundred thousand people ayear. They grow slowly and can take several years to be discovered. The tumorpushes on the surface of the brain, but does not grow into the brain itself.
Researchers at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden ledthe study. It was published in theInternationalJournal of Epidemiology.
The study involved seven hundred and fifty Swedes. About onehundred and fifty of them had these tumors. About six hundred other people didnot. Researchers asked all of the people about their cell phone use.
The researchers found that those people who had used cell phonesfor at least ten years had almost two times the risk of developing thesetumors. In addition, the tumor risk was almost four times higher on the side ofthe head where the phone was usually held.
There was no increased risk for those who had used cell phonesfor fewer than ten years. At the time the study was done, only analog phoneshad been in use for ten years.
Almost all early analog cell phones released moreelectromagnetic radiation than the digital phones now being sold. Butresearchers say they cannot be sure if the results are just linked to the useof analog phones. They say further study is needed.
Several earlier experiments have shown radiation from cellphones can affect brain cells in a laboratory. But studies on people have foundno evidence that the phones present a health risk. However, experts saychildren should avoid using the phones for long periods because their brainsare still developing.
The study is part of a wider research program known as the “InterphoneStudy”. The World Health Organization’s cancer research institute organized theresearch. It is trying to find out if electromagnetic radiation from cellphones damages health.
Final results of the study are expected to be released earlynext year.
用戶評論