| Neurosurgeon’s research suggests mobile phone-brain tumour link |
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After reviewing over 100 medical and scientific papers, as well as press and internet content, Canberra neurosurgeon, Dr Vini Khurana, has suggested that a causal link between excessive, prolonged mobile phone use and brain tumours can no longer be regarded as a myth. He states that “this danger has broader ramifications than asbestos and smoking and directly concerns us all”. In his study, Dr Khurana found that there is evidence for a relationship between the overall length of use of a mobile phone and the delayed development of a brain tumour on the preferred side of the head for phone use. Some individuals may be more susceptible to tumour development than others and this susceptibility may be genetically pre-determined.
He states that “there is currently enough evidence and technology available to warrant industry and governments taking immediate steps to reduce exposure of consumers to mobile phone-related electromagnetic radiation and to make consumers aware of potential dangers and how to use this technology sensibly and safely”.
Given that mobile phones are convenient and can be life-saving in emergency situations, Dr Khurana provided the following precautionary recommendations :
- increase the distance between the mobile phone and the side of the head to at least 20cm by using the phone in speaker mode - minimise the use of Bluetooth devices and unshielded ear-phones - minimise adult mobile phone use - restrict mobile phone use by children to emergency situations
Reference
Khurana, V. 2008
Mobile Phone - Brain Tumour Public
Health Advisory Online, available
at : http://www.brain-surgery.us/mobilephone.html (Viewed on 4.4.08) |