Laboratory study shows no firm evidence of harm caused by mobile phones

Some effect on cells found in experiments

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Mobile telephones have been found to cause changes in cells - so those who speak on the phones for a long time should use an earpiece, rather than keeping the handset against the ear, says Dariusz Leszczynski, a research professor at the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority(STUK).
      Parents are also advised to see to it that their children are protected against the impact of the phones on cells.
      The professor adds that it would be better to avoid keeping a mobile phone against the skin even when an earpiece is used.
     
In a recent experiment, which was conducted on rats, scientists at Kuopio University sought to imitate the mobile phone behaviour of children and young people. Professor Jukka Juutilainen says that no evidence emerged in the study of any negative health effects.
      "If none are found, the zero hypothesis is in force - that is, that there are no effects. There will never be a final answer", Juutilainen says.
     
The studies indicated some biological changes that the researchers have not been able to fully explain.
      The experiments conducted in Kuopio suggested that the radiation from mobile telephones affected performance in tasks requiring memory and learning in such a way that the animals that had been exposed to the radiation emanating from mobile phones actually did better in the tasks than the animals in the control group.
      "If this is a real phenomenon, and not just a random finding, it suggests a biological effect. Conclusions as to whether or not the effect is positive or negative should not be drawn at this point", said Juutilainen.
      Different schools of thought have long existed over the possible damage caused by mobile telephones. "In Finland most researchers have not taken an advance view on the matter", Juutilainen notes.
      Leszczynski says that there is new information coming in on the effects of mobile phones all the time. A recent Israeli study found similar cellular effects as STUK did in its research in 2002.
     
"Radiation causes some kinds of biological changes in cells, but they do not indicate if the effect is harmful to health or not", Leszczynski emphasises. The changes were detected in certain proteins in cells in laboratory conditions.
      "Now we have received preliminary indications that something similar can happen on human skin as well."
      Further study is taking place to ascertain the effects.
      "I am not very big on talking on the phone myself", Leszczynski emphasises. "With a longer phone call, it is best to use a land-line phone, or use an earpiece. This is not based on any solid scientific information, but just in case."
      He emphasises that it is not a good idea to wait for official instructions before taking precautions.
      "It is best to use one's own judgement, because officials are still uncertain in this situation."
      The results of the Kuopio study "Health Risk Assessment of Mobile Communications" (HERMO) were presented on Tuesday at a seminar in Helsinki arranged by the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority.


Links:
  Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK)
  HERMO Research Programme

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