Oct 09: If you are used
to have a long talk on cell phones especially keeping it on the same
side, keep a check on the practice you may run a risk of brain tumour
if continued for long.
Recently a Study published in Journal
of Occupational and Environmental Medicine revealed that those people
who talk on cell phone for more than one hour a day for ten years run
the double risk of brain cancer. Long term use of cellular phones can
increase the risk of brain cancer says the study conducted by the
Orebro University of Sweden aimed at evaluating the brain tumour risk
among long term cell users.
Two group studies were conducted along
with the 16 case control studies. The group study was not as valuable
as the 16 case control studies. Study was conducted in different parts
of the world, Germany, USA, Finland, Denmark and Sweden.
Out of 16 cases control studies 11
delivered results in which 4 studies showed an association with
acoustic tumour of nerve tissues. Though one study showed no risk six
others gave results for malignant brain tumours in the latency period
or for more than 10 years.
In simple terms what study suggests is a
consistent pattern of increased risk of acoustic neuroma and glioma
that too highest for ipsilateral exposure (exposure on the same side).
The study says that the increasing use
of wireless technology in communication such as cellular phones put
people at health risks especially the risk of brain tumour due to the
proximity of the brain to the radiation antenna which can absorb a
large amount of electromagnetic energy.
Study also says that 10 years latency
period is a reasonable period to indicate long term carcinogenic risks
from exposure to radio frequency fields at the time of use of cellular
phones.
A marking feature of this study has been
that unlike other previous studies which did not make an assessment of
the use of digital enhanced cordless telecommunications.
In India ICMR Indian Council of Medical
Research is studying the role of mobile phones and its effect on
memory, sleep patterns and hearing capability.
The conclusions of the research are
alarming especially for India as every month the number of mobile users
is increasing.
Presently the only solution may be
judicious and cautious use of the mobile phone and all time clinging to
mobile should be avoided. Further studies should be conducted to assess
and confirm the results.
