Israeli study suggests that just 10 minutes of cellphone chat could trigger cancer

Just 10 minutes of chatting on cellular phones is enough to trigger such chemical changes in the brain that can increase the risk of cancer, warn scientists.

A study by the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel has shown that even low levels of radiation from handsets interfere with the process of cell division, which encourages the growth of tumours.

Although the researchers have yet not found any evidence that signals from cell phones are harmful, their findings suggest they may be.

The cell phone industry has spent many millions of dollars in trying to discredit such studies using various disinformation campaigns.

According to a Swedish study, if you spend many years using your cell phone for at least an hour a day your risk of developing a brain tumor is 240% higher than a person who never uses one. The results of this study go against another recent one carried out in the U.K. and published in January, 2006, which indicated that cell phone use is safe for humans.

The researchers found that even the location of the tumour, for extensive cell phone users over many years, tends to be on the side of the head where the phone is used. You can read more about this cited study in the International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health.

The scientists examined cell phone use among 905 people who had a malignant brain tumour and compared them to a control group of 905 healthy people. All the volunteers were aged 20-80.

85 of the 905 people who had a malignant tumour were high users of cell phones (mobile phones) -- they started using mobile phones a long time ago, and have used them a great deal, on average for about an hour a day.

According to Kjell Mild, study leader, in an interview with the Reuters news agency, the best way to reduce the risk is to use hands-free.

The team's definition of a extensive use means over 2,000 hours of cell phone use, spread over many years.

Editorial note: (Cell Phone = Mobile Phone. In the UK people tend to say Mobile Phone). Please also note that notes from Christian Nordqvist was used for this article.

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