Mobile phones are linked to cancer

Using mobile phones for more than 10 years increases the risk of brain cancer, according to new research, and the international standard meant to protect users from radiation emissions needs updating.

Long-term mobile users were found to be twice as likely to develop a malignant tumour on the side of the brain where they held the handset — a worrying result for the many people required to use a mobile phone as part of their work.

The Health Protection Agency said the new study “may be indicative” of a risk, but added that “such analyses cannot be conclusive”.

Lennart Hardell and others, “Long-term use of cellular phones and brain tumours”, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, volume 64, pages 626-632, 2007