http://ilenarose.blogspot.com
Health Watcher

Note from Ilena Rosenthal: When it became apparent several years ago
that the cell money had antied into the Junkscience.com pot ... that
they too had something very big too hide for as long as possible ...

Only ten minutes on a mobile could trigger cancer, scientists believe
By DAVID DERBYSHIRE
Last updated at 19:35pm on 30th August 2007


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=4786
14&in_page_id=1770

It only takes ten minutes on the phone to trigger dangerous brain
chemical changes, scientists say

They found even low levels of radiation from handsets interfere with
the way brain cells divide. Cell division encourages the growth of
tumours.

Although the researchers did not come up with evidence that mobile
phone signals are harmful, the findings suggest they could be.

Several major studies have also found no link between mobile use and
brain tumours, nor a dramatic rise in cancer rates.

But campaigners insist the discovery undermines official advice that
the devices are safe.

The guidance is based on the assumption that the phones emit too
little radiation to heat the brain dangerously.

However, the new study by the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel
suggests "nonthermal" radiation could pose a risk.

The Israeli scientists exposed human and rat cells in a laboratory to
low-level radiation at 875 megahertz - a similar frequency to the one
used in many mobile phones.

Although the radiation was far weaker than emissions from a typical
handset, it began to switch on a chemical signal inside the cells
within ten minutes, the researchers report in the Biochemical Journal.
The chemical signals they detected were involved in the division of
cells.

The researchers say the reaction was not caused by heating and claim
they have found a separate way in which mobile phones could damage
health.

Dr Rony Seger, a co-author of the study, told the magazine New
Scientist: "The significance lies in showing cells do react to
cellphone radiation in a non-thermal way."

Although changes in the chemical pathway seen by the Israeli
scientists have been linked to several cancers, the researchers say
there was no sign of a cancer-causing effect.

Dr Simon Arthur, a health expert at Dundee University, said the effect
was 'unlikely to cause cancer'.

Dr Dariusz Leszczynski, of the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority
in Helsinki, said: "If cell-phone radiation cannot induce biological
effects then there will never be any health effects.

"On the other hand if we can show this radiation is able to induce
biological effects then we have a different story."

A major review of mobile phone safety is due to be published by the
Health Protection Agency next month.

The agency's last major report, in 2004, found no evidence mobiles
were a serious health risk. It did, however, caution against excessive
use, especially by the young.

Dr Michael Clark, a spokesman for the agency, said: "Because of
findings like this that pop up from time to time, a precautionary
approach is justified."

Graham Philips, of campaign group Powerwatch, said: "Safety guidelines
assume health effects from mobiles can only occur when significant
heating of body tissue occurs.

"This study shows biological changes in response to low-level mobile
phone radiation - something that could potentially have implications
for health.

"Further research is required, however guidance based purely on
thermal effects is clearly out of date."