"Cellphone Radiation May Cause Cancer, Advisory Panel Say"

"A World Health Organization panel has concluded that cellphones 'possibly carcinogenic,' putting the popular devices in the same category as certain dry cleaning chemicals and pesticides, as a potential threat to human health.

The finding, from the agency’s International Agency for Research on Cancer, adds to concerns among a small but growing group of experts about the health effects of low levels of radiation emitted by cellphones. The panel, which consisted of 31 scientists from 14 countries, was led by Dr. Jonathan M. Samet, a physician and epidemiologist at the University of Southern California and a member of President Obama’s National Cancer Advisory Board.

The group didn’t conduct any new research but reviewed numerous existing studies that focused on the health effects of radio frequency magnetic fields, which are emitted by cellphones. During a news conference, Dr. Samet said the panel’s decision to classify cellphones as 'possibly carcinogenic' was based largely on epidemiological data showing an increased risk among heavy cellphone users of a rare type of brain tumor called a glioma."

Tara Parker-Pope and Felicity Barringer report for the New York Times' Well blog May 31, 2011.

SEE ALSO:

"Cellphones 'Possibly Carcinogenic,' WHO Says" (Washington Post)