ARPANSA - Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency

By: Larjavaara S, Schüz J, Swerdlow A, Feychting M, Johansen C, Lagorio S, Tynes T, Klaeboe L, Tonjer SR, Blettner M, Berg-Beckhoff G, Schlehofer B, Schoemaker M, Britton J, Mäntylä R, Lönn S, Ahlbom A, Flodmark O, Lilja A, Martini S, Rastelli E, Vidiri A, Kähärä V, Raitanen J, Heinävaara S, Auvinen A
Published in: Am J Epidemiol 2011: in press

This epidemiological study investigated whether gliomas (type of brain tumour) occur preferentially in the areas of the brain having the highest radiofrequency (RF) exposure from mobile phone use. The study used two methods of analysis: In a case-case analysis, tumour locations were compared with varying exposure levels; in a case-specular analysis, a hypothetical reference location was assigned for each glioma, and the distances from the actual and a “reflected” or “specular” location to the handset were compared. The study included 888 patients with glioma from 7 European countries (diagnosed during 2000-2004) within the INTERPHONE project (see below). In the case-case analysis, gliomas were located closer to the mobile phone position among never-regular and contralateral users (those who used the mobile phone on the side of the head opposite to the tumour), but this result was not statistically significant. In the case-specular analysis, the mean distances between the gliomas and the mobile phones were similar for cases (exposed location) and speculars (specular control location). The authors conclude that these results do not suggest that gliomas in mobile phone users are preferentially located in the parts of the brain with the highest RF exposure from mobile phones.

PUBMED LINK

The INTERPHONE project, which is coordinated by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), is a multi-national series of case-control studies (from 13 different countries including Australia) testing whether using mobile phones is associated with an increased risk of various cancers in the head and neck. The INTERPHONE studies were based on a common core protocol to enable valid data pooling. Further information on the INTERPHONE project is available from the IARC website.

A pooled analysis of the INTERPHONE studies for malignant brain tumours (glioma and meningioma) showed no overall association (INTERPHONE Study Group, 2010 (PDF 187kb)). There were suggestions of an association (most pronounced for glioma) in the group representing individuals with the highest cumulative call time. The authors note that limitations of the methodology prevent conclusions of causality being drawn from these observations.

The more detailed analysis based on tumour location aims to strengthen any direct associaton with absorption of radiofrequency energy rather than depending solely on use of a mobile phone.

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By: Leung S, et al
Published in: Clin Neurophysiol 2011: in press

This Australian study examined cognitive function (thinking process) and brain electrical activity in human subjects of varying age, when exposed to RF signals from 2nd (2G) and 3rd (3G) generation mobile phones. The subjects performed various mental tasks and were monitored via an electroencephalograph while exposed to RF emissions from 2G and 3G phones as well as during sham exposure (the phones were turned off). The results showed that there was a stronger impairment of performance amongst the adolescents than in other age groups. The authors conclude that it is important to account for individual differences in future mobile phone research.

PUBMED LINK

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By: Foster KR, Morrissey JJ
Published in: Int J Hyperthermia 2011; 27 (4): 307 – 319

An international workshop entitled 'Thermal Aspects of Radio Frequency Exposure' was held in Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA on 11-12 January 2010. The goals of the workshop were to (1) identify appropriate health endpoints associated with thermal hazards including very small changes in temperature, and (2) outline future directions for research that might lead to an improved understanding of health and safety implications of human exposure to RF energy and design of improved exposure limits for this energy. There were various research articles presented at the workshop and this paper summarises some of the major conclusions.

PUBMED LINK

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Government and Advisory Committee Reports and Statements

By: Spanish Scientific Advisory Committee on Radio Frequencies and Health (CCARS)
Published in: CCARS website.

In Spain, the Scientific Advisory Committee on Radio Frequencies and Health (CCARS) has the responsibility of providing information and advice on the issue of exposure to RF fields and health. This is the second report by CCARS outlining the research in this area in 2009-2010 (the first report discussed the research during 2007-2008). The report also presents some general conclusions and recommendations for priorities in research and future measures. 

The report is available from the CCARS website (PDF 435 kb)

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By: Russian National Committee on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection
Published in: RNCNIRP website

The Russian National Committee on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (RNCNIRP) reviewed the short-term and long-term effects of mobile phone use by children and has published a resolution on this topic. The resolution includes:

• The RNCNIRP assessment and statistical data on morbidity of children and teenagers
• basic postulates for determining the risks of children and teenagers from RF exposure and
• priority measures aimed at protection of children and teenagers

The resolution is available at: http://www.avaate.org/IMG/pdf/RNCNIRP_Resolution_2011.pdf (126 kb)

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By: Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE)
Published in: PACE website

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) consists of a number of individual representatives from each member European State. Pace provides recommendations, resolutions or opinions on various issues. PACE has issued a resolution on the potential dangers of electromagnetic fields, their effect on the environment and the need for precaution.

The resolution is available from the PACE website.

 

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