WHO Classifies Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields As Possibly Carcinogenic To Humans

The WHO/International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B), based on an increased risk for glioma, a malignant type of brain cancer, associated with wireless phone use.

This has serious implications for the use of any equipment which uses radiofrequency electromagnetic fields, e.g. mobile phones, and for the exposure levels being sustained by workers and the general public. Once again, the health risks associated with mobile phone use cannot be dismissed as being non existent.

Derek Maylor, Chair of the NW BTU H&S Co-ord has called for the monitoring of the use of BT trackers in vans, following the publication of the WHO's recommendation.

The background to the decision by the WHO to classify radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans relates to the mounting concern over the last few years about the possibility of adverse health effects resulting from exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields, such as those emitted by wireless communication devices. The number of mobile phone subscriptions is estimated at 5 billion globally.

The IARC Monograph Working Group discussed the possibility that these exposures might induce long‐term health effects, in particular an increased risk for cancer. This has relevance for public health, particularly for users of mobile phones, as the number of users is large and growing, particularly among young adults and children.

The IARC Monograph Working Group discussed and evaluated the available literature on the following exposure categories involving radiofrequency electromagnetic fields:

* occupational exposures to radar and to microwaves;

* environmental exposures associated with transmission of signals for radio, television and wireless telecommunication; and

* personal exposures associated with the use of wireless telephones.

International experts shared the complex task of tackling the exposure data, the studies of cancer in humans, the studies of cancer in experimental animals, and the mechanistic and other relevant data.

The evidence was reviewed critically, and overall evaluated as being limited2 among users of wireless telephones for glioma and acoustic neuroma, and inadequate3 to draw conclusions for other types of cancers. The evidence from the occupational and environmental exposures mentioned above was similarly judged inadequate. The Working Group did not quantitate the risk; however, one study of past cell phone use (up to the year 2004), showed a 40% increased risk for gliomas in the highest category of heavy users (reported average: 30 minutes per day over a 10‐year period).

Dr Jonathan Samet (University of Southern California, USA), overall Chairman of the Working Group, indicated that "the evidence, while still accumulating, is strong enough to support a conclusion and the 2B classification. The conclusion means that there could be some risk, and therefore we need to keep a close watch for a link between cell phones and cancer risk."

"Given the potential consequences for public health of this classification and findings," said IARC Director Christopher Wild, "it is important that additional research be conducted into the long‐term, heavy use of mobile phones. Pending the availability of such information, it is important to take pragmatic measures to reduce exposure such as hands‐free devices or texting. "
 
The Working Group considered hundreds of scientific articles; the complete list will be published in the Monograph. It is noteworthy to mention that several recent in‐press scientific articles4 resulting from the, much delayed, Interphone study were made available to the working group shortly before it was due to convene.
 
A concise report summarizing the main conclusions of the IARC Working Group and the evaluations of the carcinogenic hazard from radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (including the use of mobile telephones) will be published in The Lancet Oncology in its July 1 issue, and in a few days online.

Additionally, it is worth noting that the much delayed Interphone study into mobile phone use and risks to health, was finally released in May last year. The results of that study were controversial in the sense that delays to it’s findings being published resulted due to lack of scientific agreement on interpretation of the results, and the stances taken on the issue by both the different governments and businesses involved in financing the study.

The Interphone Study Group concluded their report with a key message:

There were suggestions of an increased risk of glioma, and much less so meningioma, in the highest decile of cumulative call time, in subjects who reported usual phone use on the same side of the head as their tumour and, for glioma, for tumours in the temporal lobe. Biases and errors limit the strength of the conclusions that can be drawn from these analyses and prevent a causal interpretation.

What next you may ask.

Dr Christopher Wild, Director of IARC said: "An increased risk of brain cancer is not established from the data from Interphone. However, observations at the highest level of cumulative call time and the changing patterns of mobile phone use since the period studied by Interphone, particularly in young people, mean that further investigation of mobile phone use and brain cancer risk is merited."

In an almost mirroring of the conclusions of the UK’s Stewart Report into mobile phone use and the risks to health, Professor Elisabeth Cardis said that "the Interphone study will continue with additional analyses of mobile phone use and tumours of the acoustic nerve and parotid gland." She added:,"Because of concerns about the rapid increase in mobile phone use in young people − who were not covered by Interphone −, CREAL is co-ordinating a new project, MobiKids, funded by the European Union, to investigate the risk of brain tumours from mobile phone use in childhood
and adolescence."

It appears then that studies done so far have been shrouded by arguments about interpretation of the results and the pressures of governments and big business on the study groups, particularly with the Interphone group.

It is very interesting that the WHO has now decided that the best cause of action is to classify as radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans.

You can download both documents illustrated above from the E-Library Database by choosing category of Electromagnetic Radiation from the category drop-down list.

The Interphone Study Results can also be downloaded from the E-Library Database by using the keyword Interphone

The full WHO/IARC report will appear in the Lancet website shortly.

Source: WHO / IARC

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