In a recent study conducted at the University of Bordeaux, researchers have found that using a cell phone for 15 hours a month, or roughly half an hour a day, can lead to a two to three times increase in a person’s chances of getting a brain tumor.
The French study, published in British Occupational and Environmental Medicine, centered on 253 cases of glioma – a type of tumor arising from the supportive tissue, known as “glia,” of the brain – and 194 cases of meningioma – a type of tumor arising from the coverings of the brain and spinal cord – all reported between the years of 2004-2006 in several counties in France. These cases, in turn, were compared with 892 controls, also drawn from the French population, consisting of healthy individuals without brain tumors.
The study concluded that there was a “higher threat of a brain tumor observed solely among heavier [mobile phone] users,” particularly among those who interacted with cell phones frequently for work, such as salespeople. These higher-risk individuals interacted with cell phones from anywhere between two to ten years, averaging a duration of five years of exposure.
The risk of cell phone usage has been a hot topic since the device’s explosion in popularity, with numerous studies undertaken in an effort to demystify its effects on the brain. While such studies, such as the 2010 Interphone study, warn against the overuse of cell phone devices, none of them could conclusively determine a link between brain cancer and cell phones.
“Our study is part of that trend, but the results have to be confirmed,” Isabelle Baldi, one of the study’s head researchers, said.
However, the recent Bordeaux study pointed out the limitations in past cell phone studies, positing that “Given the short time that mobile phone use has been widespread, none of these studies has been able properly to investigate risk in relation to long-term phone use,” while suggesting that “studies taking account of these recent developments and allowing the observation of potential long-term effects will be needed.”
Interestingly, the study found that tumors more frequently appeared on the opposite side of where the phone was usually positioned on the head. Such a perplexing finding demonstrates the difficulty of studying the effects of such a fast-changing technology, as well as determining the effects of cell phones specifically in a maelstrom of other carcinogenic influences, such as smoking.
“It is difficult to define a level of risk, if any, especially as mobile phone technology is constantly evolving,” researchers note. “The rapid evolution of technology has led to a considerable increase in the use of mobile phones and a parallel decrease of [radiowave intensity] emitted by the phones.”
Despite these difficulties, this study could represent a considerable foray into the still-mysterious terrain of cell phone safety. In the meantime, avoiding hours of talking on a smartphone might be a prudent choice for children, teens, and adults alike.
– Melanie Abeygunawardana
