Most of the concern about cell phone radiation has centered on the possible elevated risk of brain cancer. But a new article in Oral Diseases reminds us that other organs may be at risk. ( Note: Login may be necessary to view the link. Bypass available via BugMeNot.)
Noting that several studies have found a correlation between mobile phone radiation and salivary gland tumors, the researchers thus looked at a couple of key effects of such radiation on the parotid gland. This is the main salivary gland, located just below the ear – the gland that gets swollen if a person gets the mumps.
#1 is the parotid gland
The team found that saliva is secreted at a much higher rate on the side where a person most often holds their phone. They also found “decreased protein secretion reflecting the continuous insult to the glands.”
As the authors note, more studies on a larger scale are definitely needed to understand the correlation and thus the risks. But it must be noted that the most common parotid tumors are benign, which is not the case with so many of the reported brain cancers from cell phone use. Consequently, there’s much more emphasis on research in this area.
Some of the most important of it is summarized in a new report from the EM Radiation Research Trust, a British nonprofit that aims “to provide the facts about electro-magnetic radiation and our health to the public and the media.” The report, Cellphones and Brain Tumors: 15 Reasons for Concern, Science, Spin and the Truth Behind Interphone particularly aims
to inform journalists and government officials of the independent scientific findings that raise red flags, and also to address the design flaws in the Interphone study protocol that results in an underestimation of the risk of brain tumors from cellphone use,
but it’s a worthwhile read for anyone interested in the scientific research to date on the risks.
The front matter of the report includes a quote from the European Commission Communication on the Precautionary Principle that we think is worth bearing in mind – not just with respect to cell phones but all technologies that may impact our health and wellbeing:
The precautionary principle applies where scientific evidence is insufficient or uncertain and preliminary scientific evaluation indicates that there are reasonable ground for concern that the potentially dangerous effects on the environment, human, animal or plant health may be inconsistent with the high level of protection chosen.
To help individuals act on this principle, the EWG has released a new report on cell phone radiation, informing the public of which phones emit the least amount – and which, the most. Check it out and see how your phone stacks up. They also offer tips for reducing exposure and answers to the top 14 questions about cell phones.
Meantime, Reuters has reported that Iowa Senator Tom Harkin, chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, has “promised…to probe deeply into any potential links between cellphone use and cancer.”
Harkin…said he was concerned no one has been able to prove cellphones do not cause cancer.
“I’m reminded of this nation’s experience with cigarettes. Decades passed between the first warnings about smoking tobacco and the final definitive conclusion that cigarettes cause lung cancer,” Harkin said.
There will be plenty more research to consider. Results of yet another study also came out this week. Published in Sugrical Neurology, the latest literature review once again showed strong epidemiological evidence of a causal relationship between cell phone usage and brain tumors…
For yet more comment on this issue, see the article “Cell Phone Radiation” (PDF) in the August 2009 MCSA News.
Most of the concern about cell phone radiation has centered on the possible elevated risk of brain cancer. But a new article in Oral Diseases reminds us that other organs may be at risk. ( Note: Login may be necessary to view the link. Bypass available via BugMeNot.)
Noting that several studies have found a correlation between mobile phone radiation and salivary gland tumors, the researchers thus looked at a couple of key effects of such radiation on the parotid gland. This is the main salivary gland, located just below the ear – the gland that gets swollen if a person gets the mumps.
#1 is the parotid gland
The team found that saliva is secreted at a much higher rate on the side where a person most often holds their phone. They also found “decreased protein secretion reflecting the continuous insult to the glands.”
As the authors note, more studies on a larger scale are definitely needed to understand the correlation and thus the risks. But it must be noted that the most common parotid tumors are benign, which is not the case with so many of the reported brain cancers from cell phone use. Consequently, there’s much more emphasis on research in this area.
Some of the most important of it is summarized in a new report from the EM Radiation Research Trust, a British nonprofit that aims “to provide the facts about electro-magnetic radiation and our health to the public and the media.” The report, Cellphones and Brain Tumors: 15 Reasons for Concern, Science, Spin and the Truth Behind Interphone particularly aims
but it’s a worthwhile read for anyone interested in the scientific research to date on the risks.
The front matter of the report includes a quote from the European Commission Communication on the Precautionary Principle that we think is worth bearing in mind – not just with respect to cell phones but all technologies that may impact our health and wellbeing:
To help individuals act on this principle, the EWG has released a new report on cell phone radiation, informing the public of which phones emit the least amount – and which, the most. Check it out and see how your phone stacks up. They also offer tips for reducing exposure and answers to the top 14 questions about cell phones.
Meantime, Reuters has reported that Iowa Senator Tom Harkin, chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, has “promised…to probe deeply into any potential links between cellphone use and cancer.”
There will be plenty more research to consider. Results of yet another study also came out this week. Published in Sugrical Neurology, the latest literature review once again showed strong epidemiological evidence of a causal relationship between cell phone usage and brain tumors…
For yet more comment on this issue, see the article “Cell Phone Radiation” (PDF) in the August 2009 MCSA News.
Most of the concern about cell phone radiation has centered on the possible elevated risk of brain cancer. But a new article in Oral Diseases reminds us that other organs may be at risk. ( Note: Login may be necessary to view the link. Bypass available via BugMeNot.)
Noting that several studies have found a correlation between mobile phone radiation and salivary gland tumors, the researchers thus looked at a couple of key effects of such radiation on the parotid gland. This is the main salivary gland, located just below the ear – the gland that gets swollen if a person gets the mumps.
#1 is the parotid gland
The team found that saliva is secreted at a much higher rate on the side where a person most often holds their phone. They also found “decreased protein secretion reflecting the continuous insult to the glands.”
As the authors note, more studies on a larger scale are definitely needed to understand the correlation and thus the risks. But it must be noted that the most common parotid tumors are benign, which is not the case with so many of the reported brain cancers from cell phone use. Consequently, there’s much more emphasis on research in this area.
Some of the most important of it is summarized in a new report from the EM Radiation Research Trust, a British nonprofit that aims “to provide the facts about electro-magnetic radiation and our health to the public and the media.” The report, Cellphones and Brain Tumors: 15 Reasons for Concern, Science, Spin and the Truth Behind Interphone particularly aims
but it’s a worthwhile read for anyone interested in the scientific research to date on the risks.
The front matter of the report includes a quote from the European Commission Communication on the Precautionary Principle that we think is worth bearing in mind – not just with respect to cell phones but all technologies that may impact our health and wellbeing:
To help individuals act on this principle, the EWG has released a new report on cell phone radiation, informing the public of which phones emit the least amount – and which, the most. Check it out and see how your phone stacks up. They also offer tips for reducing exposure and answers to the top 14 questions about cell phones.
Meantime, Reuters has reported that Iowa Senator Tom Harkin, chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, has “promised…to probe deeply into any potential links between cellphone use and cancer.”
There will be plenty more research to consider. Results of yet another study also came out this week. Published in Sugrical Neurology, the latest literature review once again showed strong epidemiological evidence of a causal relationship between cell phone usage and brain tumors…
For yet more comment on this issue, see the article “Cell Phone Radiation” (PDF) in the August 2009 MCSA News.