Study shows tumour risk from heavy mobile use

A Swedish study has found an increased risk of getting a brain tumour among heavy mobile users. Kjell Mild, who led the Swedish study, said the figures meant that heavy users of mobile phones had a 240% increased risk of a malignant tumour on the side of the head the phone is used.

He said his study was the biggest yet to look at long-term users of mobile phones. The phones have been available in Sweden longer than in many other countries – since 1984 in a portable form.

The Swedish National Institute for Working Life looked at the mobile phone use of 2,200 cancer patients and an equal number of healthy control cases.

Published in the International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, its study defines heavy use as 2,000 plus hours, which "corresponds to 10 years' use in the work place for one hour per day." Early use - starting to use a mobile phone before the age of 20 – may also be a risk factor.

"The way to get the risk down is to use handsfree," Mr Mild told Reuters.

www.arbetslivsinstitutet.se/pdf/060331MildHardell_Article.pdf