High mobile use puts us at risk of brain tumours

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High mobile use puts us at risk of brain tumours

_http://www.dnaindia .com/report. asp?newsid= 1159577__

(http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1159577_)

By - Eklavya Atray

 

NEW DELHI: India could see several cases of brain tumour over the next

two-to-three years due to constant use of mobile phones say neurologists, as

they

debate a recent Australian study that says a correlation does exist between

the two.

 

Australian neurosurgeon Dr Vini Khurana's study predicts that the fallout of

heavy mobile phone use would be visible soon as the nation's love affair

with mobile phone climbs to dizzying heights.

 

In his research, Khurana says heavy usage of cell phones for a period of 10

years or more doubles the chances of brain tumour. It also, he adds, has

larger public health ramification than asbestos and smoking.

 

Union health minister Dr Anbumani Ramdoss has called for a study to be

conducted to study the ill-effects of mobile phones.

 

Cellphones' radiation can heat up the side of the head or potentially

thermoelectrically interact with the brain, while bluetooth devices and

unshielded

headsets convert the user's head into self-harming antenna, Dr Khurana says,

based on his study. Children are at a greater risk because they possess a

thinner skull in comparison to adults.

 

Meanwhile, Dr Rajeev Ranjan, a neurology expert at Sir Gangaram Hospital,

says, " EMR rays in general cause irritation, concentration lapses and in many

cases even proliferation of cells which cause cancer. " Particularly at risk,

he says, are those with pacemakers which the EMR can interfere with.

 

Dr Anshu Rohatgi, another Delhi neurologist, says, " Electro magnetic

radiations, in general, affect the DNA and cause problems in cell recovery and

cell

growth. "

 

As regards Dr Khurana's research, he says, " The research is not totally

proven till now but a UK study did say that cellphone usage may cause

acoustic-neuroma which is a non-cancerous tumor that develops on the nerve

connecting

the ear to the brain. "

 

The UK study says no solid proof exists of the fact that cellphones cause

brain cancer but a Swedish study in 2006 claimed that if you spend many years

using your cellphone for at least an hour a day, the risk of developing a

brain tumor is 240 percent higher than a person who never uses one.

 

Researchers found that even the location of the tumour tends to be on the

side of the head where the phone is used.

 

Meanwhile, TV Ramachandran, director general of Cellular Operator

Association of India, refutes the study. " Dr Vini Khurana is first a

neurosurgeon and

not a researcher and so much credibility cannot be attached to his research, "

Ramchandran said

 

" Organisations like WHO conducted a study on the issue which proved that

cellphones do not cause any greater chances of brain tumour, " he adds The

electromagnetic rays radiated by cell phones cannot harm anyone as " they are

non-ionising and in such small doses that no harm can be caused by them. "

 

According to Ramchandran, " Telecom companies are unnecessarily being dragged

and it's the word of one individual over the WHO and other health

organisations. "

 

Dr Khurana has countered saying that the WHO fact-sheet was irrelevant in

this instance because most of the worrisome data has been surfacing in the last

12-24 months.

 

A study, funded by the telecom companies on the health effects of cellphone

use, is expected to be out in a few weeks

 

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