For more than 30 years, researchers have been trying to figure out whether the use of cell phones may affect human health and, in particular, the incidence of brain cancer.
According to a comprehensive review of the highest quality available evidence, commissioned by the World Health Organization (WHO) and led by Australia’s Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (Arpansa), the systematic review looked at more than 5,000 studies, including those identified as the most scientifically rigorous and excluded weak studies.
The final analysis included 63 observational studies in humans published between 1994 and 2022, making it “the most comprehensive review to date,” said the review’s lead author, Associate Professor Ken Karipidis.
“We conclude that the data do not show a link between mobile phones and brain cancer or other head and neck cancers.”
The review found no overall association between mobile phone use and cancer, no association with long-term use (whether people have been using their mobile phones for 10 years or more), and no association with the intensity of mobile phone use (number of calls made or time spent on the phone).
“I’m quite confident in our conclusion. And what gives us great confidence is that… even though cell phone use has increased dramatically, brain tumor rates have remained stable,” said Karipidis, deputy director of health impact assessment at Arpans.
Karipidis, who is also vice president of the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection, says people hear the word “radiation” and assume it’s like nuclear radiation.
“And since we use mobile phone “There is a lot of anxiety around the head when we call,” Karipdis said.
“Radiation is basically energy that moves from one point to another. There are many different types, such as ultraviolet radiation from the sun,” he said.
“In our daily lives we are always exposed to low level radio waves.”
Tim Driscoll, a professor at the University of Sydney and chair of the Cancer Council Australia’s occupational and environmental cancers committee, said the systematic review’s methodology was sound.
“I think this study should reassure people… but it’s worth remembering that studies aren’t perfect, but the weight of the evidence certainly is that mobile phones should be considered safe to use in terms of any concerns about increased risk of cancer,” Driscoll said.
Source: Digital Trends
