Do cell phones cause cancer? The question has been addressed by science for several years. Although amongst that question there has been a lot of speculation, so far there is still no concrete answer. The latest evidence, the product of a large study in mice, suggests that there may be a relationship, although its results should be viewed with a magnifying glass.
The study, which many consider the largest and most expensive experiment that has been done to answer the question, began about 20 years ago. Bill Clinton was president of the United States and the appearance of new technologies began to worry science. To examine the case of cell phones and its relation to the appearance of tumors, about $30 million dollars were allocated. The National Toxicology Program of the United States, in charge of carrying out the research, used about 3,000 rodents.
Now, after two decades, their conclusions have come to light. John Bucher, chief scientist of that entity, summed it up in one sentence to The New York Times: “We believe that the link between radiofrequency radiation and tumors in mice is real.”
However, his phrase must be examined carefully. The motives are several: as he himself said, the levels of exposure and duration to which the animals were subjected were much greater than those usually experienced by humans. In addition, the study was done with a radio frequency characteristic of an old cell generation, whose use lost its validity many years ago.
Another point seems to create uncertainty: the lowest level of radiation to which the rodents were exposed was equivalent to the maximum levels that are allowed in people. In fact, the highest level used was 4 times higher than allowed. In total, the animals were exposed for nine hours a day for two continuous years. Some, even, before birth. The frequency was 900 megahertz, characteristic of cell phones that predominated in the 90s. Today the world is preparing for the fifth generation of phones (known as 5G), whose wave, say scientists, have much less success to the time to penetrate the bodies of humans or rats.
The conclusion? Between 2% and 3% of males developed malignant gliomas, a deadly brain cancer. Also, between 5% and 7% developed certain cardiac tumors. On the contrary, none of those who were exposed to radiation had that outcome. In the case of females, there was no link between radiation and the appearance of tumors.
And although the data is not conclusive, in the eyes of the authors of the research, any indication that suggests the risk of cancer due to the use of cell phones could have serious implications. The reason is obvious: “smartphones” have become a crucial tool. It is difficult to find someone who refrains from using them.
However, the great problem with this research is that the analysis of these type of studies require several years. Technology, on the other hand, advances at a much faster pace. The solution that the Toxicology Agency has found is to build exhibition chambers that will allow them to examine these advances at a greater speed. Maybe months or weeks. Until then it will be impossible to solve in a concrete way the doubts about the possible carcinogenic effects of cell phones. The question, for now, will remain unanswered.
