by Kristina Grifantini, Technology Review
Cell phones are potentially carcinogenic according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a branch of The World Health Organization. A panel of 31 scientists from across the globe did not conduct any new research before making the declaration, but assessed existing studies. The IARC has now elevated cell phone use to its Group 2B list of carcinogens, which includes many different chemicals and products, such as DDT, engine exhaust, and coffee, pickled vegetables and talcum powder. This means it the IARC considers cell phones “possibly carcinogenic to humans.” The panel evaluated a number of research studies, including the 2007 Interphone study, which indicated that the heaviest 10 percent of cell phone users had a 40 percent increased risk of developing a rare type of brain tumor called glioma. Because this cancer is so rare, the increase in risk is very slight.
http://technologyreview.com/blog/editors/26835/?p1=blogs
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